"It doesn't feel safe now": Visitor's car 'surrounded by thugs with machetes' at Dovestone Reservoir

A visitor to Dovestone Reservoir has said the Oldham beauty spot 'doesn't feel safe now' after claiming their car was surrounded by a gang with machetes.

The visitor said four males on electric motorbikes surrounded their car on the evening of November 23 at the popular walking spot near Greenfield. They said the thugs were allegedly carrying hammers and machetes, Yorkshire Live reports.

In an anonymous post, they wrote: "The beauty spot doesn't feel safe now. What is the world coming to? Absolutely vile people."

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The visitor said they had been visiting Dovestone for 55 years and had been planning a night walk around the reservoir. They said the matter had been reported to Greater Manchester Police, though a spokesperson for the force said he was unable to find the reported incident on force systems.

In response to the visitor's post, local Conservative councillor Max Woodvine told Yorkshire Live: "It is my intention to work with the police team in Saddleworth to increase patrols of the car park in the evenings but unfortunately with no witnesses, vehicle details, or descriptions it is hard for them to take enforcement action in this instance.

"As the car park is managed by the local authority we will have to look at options which could include increased CCTV or closing the car park at night, particularly during winter months, but access to farms and houses would need to be maintained for residents. I would simply recommend Saddleworth residents remain vigilant during the darker nights and look forward to enjoying the magnificent Chew Valley in the spring and summer months."

A spokesman for the RSPB, which manages the nature reserve, said: "We were made aware of reports of alleged antisocial behaviour near Dove Stone Nature Reserve on Saturday 23rd via social media. Given the nature of the incident, it would be best if you contact the police as we cannot comment on an active investigation if it has been reported.

"For matters related to car park security, you could get in touch with Oldham Council who manage the car park."

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