Three arrests over historic sex abuse in Rochdale

Officers made three arrests over the past few months as part of the investigation

Three men have been arrested on suspicion of child sexual abuse alleged to have taken place more than 15 years ago.

They include a 79-year-old who has been detained on suspicion of raping a girl under the age of 13 and a girl under 16 in Rochdale, Greater Manchester Police said.

An 84-year-old man was also held in August on suspicion of facilitating the sexual exploitation of a girl under 13.

A 65-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of the same offence and of administering a noxious substance to commit a sexual offence.

The three arrests are part of GMP's investigation, known as Operation Exmoor, re-examining "missed opportunities" over sexual offences in the town.

The 84-year-old and 65-year-old men have been released on bail, while the 79-year-old remains in custody.

More than 30 sexual offenders have been jailed following two investigations in the past decade in historical child sex exploitation in the town.

An additional 20 men are due to go on trial in October over similar offences.