Two more rape arrests in child sex abuse inquiry

The suspects were detained at different houses in Oldham, police say

Two more men have been arrested on suspicion of raping a child more than 10 years ago as part of an investigation into historical sexual abuse of several girls in Oldham.

The suspects, aged 38 and 40, were detained earlier at different houses after detectives from Greater Manchester Police identified a potential survivor and approached her about the case, the force said.

The men were the latest to be arrested in Operation Sherwood, which focuses on abuse of girls in the town between 2011 and 2014.

Assistant Chief Constable Steph Parker said officers had arrested 12 people in the past three months as part of the investigation.

She said they were "complex cases" but the force was "doing everything we can to piece together evidence".

"We will not allow the passage of time to be a barrier," she added.

Operation Sherwood was launched following a critical report that found authorities, including police, had failed to protect vulnerable young people in Oldham from abuse.