Police Monitoring ‘Vigilante’ Group in Heywood as Councillors Demand Action
Heywood, Greater Manchester — A self-styled vigilante group that has been patrolling the streets of Heywood remains active, prompting a call for increased police oversight from local councillors concerned about the group’s activities and past associations.
The Heywood Community Guard, which organisers say was established to, “keep women and children safe”, continues to operate in the area, often wearing high-visibility vests while patrolling at night. However, the group is currently being monitored by Greater Manchester Police following concerns raised by a group of local councillors.
Led by Councillor Angela Brown, chair of the Heywood Township Committee at Rochdale Council, politicians have formally urged GMP to step up its management of the Heywood Community Guard. In a letter sent to Chief Superintendent of Rochdale, Danny Inglis, Councillor Brown expressed fears among parents that the group could return to school gates to, “stand guard”, a practice that has previously drawn scrutiny.
“We are aware of a group operating in the Heywood area, and while we do not have a partnership with them, we will work to ensure they follow the appropriate laws and guidance during any activities they carry out”, a Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said regarding the group.
Chief Superintendent Inglis is understood to be speaking with councillors regarding the matter.
Controversial History and Leaked Messages
The Heywood Community Guard was formed in the wake of an anti-immigration protest in Heywood in late August last year. Reports from Roch Valley Radio indicated that the demonstration, believed to have been organised by Heywood Community Guard founder member, Adam Farrell, saw marchers holding Union Jack banners and chanting support for far-right activist Tommy Robinson.
The group’s history is marred by the criminal conviction of one of its founders. In 2022, Adam Farrell was jailed for three years and four months at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court. Farrell admitted to racially aggravated grievous bodily harm after leaving an innocent man with life-changing brain injuries in an unprovoked racist attack outside a nightclub. It is understood that Farrell is no longer part of the Heywood Community Guard.
Further controversy emerged when leaked messages from a WhatsApp group titled, “Keep Heywood Safe”, were reported by Roch Valley Radio. The messages allegedly showed members using racial slurs against Black and Jewish people and discussing fears regarding, “millions of Muslims”. One member reportedly used a racial slur and shared a location pin after seeing a Black man with a ‘London accent’ in the town.
Jamie Thomason, the founder of the Heywood Community Guard, has denied that this WhatsApp group was the official chat for the patrol. He stated that the group was used to gather intelligence on problem areas for anti-social behaviour and crime. Mr. Thomason asserted that anyone making racist remarks is not involved in the Heywood Community Guard and is not participating in patrols or guarding school gates.
Diverging Views on Safety
Mr. Thomason maintains that the group has public support and aims to assist the police rather than replace them. He expressed hope that the Heywood Community Guard could create a security patrol allowing police officers to focus on other crimes.
However, Councillor Brown and her colleagues remain unconvinced. In her letter to Chief Superintendent Inglis, she requested that the police increase visible policing in Heywood, issue a clear statement that policing is the sole responsibility of officers, and provide an update on how the Heywood Community Guard is being monitored.
Councillor Brown declined to comment further on the letter, and Mr. Thomason also declined to comment on the specific correspondence sent to Greater Manchester Police.
Ongoing Monitoring
While GMP has confirmed they do not have a partnership with the Heywood Community Guard, they are actively working to ensure the group adheres to the law. As the situation develops, the presence of the community guard continues to divide opinion in Heywood, balancing claims of community safety against concerns over vigilantism and past conduct.
The Heywood Community Guard, which organisers say was established to, “keep women and children safe”, continues to operate in the area, often wearing high-visibility vests while patrolling at night. However, the group is currently being monitored by Greater Manchester Police following concerns raised by a group of local councillors.
Led by Councillor Angela Brown, chair of the Heywood Township Committee at Rochdale Council, politicians have formally urged GMP to step up its management of the Heywood Community Guard. In a letter sent to Chief Superintendent of Rochdale, Danny Inglis, Councillor Brown expressed fears among parents that the group could return to school gates to, “stand guard”, a practice that has previously drawn scrutiny.
“We are aware of a group operating in the Heywood area, and while we do not have a partnership with them, we will work to ensure they follow the appropriate laws and guidance during any activities they carry out”, a Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said regarding the group.
Chief Superintendent Inglis is understood to be speaking with councillors regarding the matter.
Controversial History and Leaked Messages
The Heywood Community Guard was formed in the wake of an anti-immigration protest in Heywood in late August last year. Reports from Roch Valley Radio indicated that the demonstration, believed to have been organised by Heywood Community Guard founder member, Adam Farrell, saw marchers holding Union Jack banners and chanting support for far-right activist Tommy Robinson.
The group’s history is marred by the criminal conviction of one of its founders. In 2022, Adam Farrell was jailed for three years and four months at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court. Farrell admitted to racially aggravated grievous bodily harm after leaving an innocent man with life-changing brain injuries in an unprovoked racist attack outside a nightclub. It is understood that Farrell is no longer part of the Heywood Community Guard.
Further controversy emerged when leaked messages from a WhatsApp group titled, “Keep Heywood Safe”, were reported by Roch Valley Radio. The messages allegedly showed members using racial slurs against Black and Jewish people and discussing fears regarding, “millions of Muslims”. One member reportedly used a racial slur and shared a location pin after seeing a Black man with a ‘London accent’ in the town.
Jamie Thomason, the founder of the Heywood Community Guard, has denied that this WhatsApp group was the official chat for the patrol. He stated that the group was used to gather intelligence on problem areas for anti-social behaviour and crime. Mr. Thomason asserted that anyone making racist remarks is not involved in the Heywood Community Guard and is not participating in patrols or guarding school gates.
Diverging Views on Safety
Mr. Thomason maintains that the group has public support and aims to assist the police rather than replace them. He expressed hope that the Heywood Community Guard could create a security patrol allowing police officers to focus on other crimes.
However, Councillor Brown and her colleagues remain unconvinced. In her letter to Chief Superintendent Inglis, she requested that the police increase visible policing in Heywood, issue a clear statement that policing is the sole responsibility of officers, and provide an update on how the Heywood Community Guard is being monitored.
Councillor Brown declined to comment further on the letter, and Mr. Thomason also declined to comment on the specific correspondence sent to Greater Manchester Police.
Ongoing Monitoring
While GMP has confirmed they do not have a partnership with the Heywood Community Guard, they are actively working to ensure the group adheres to the law. As the situation develops, the presence of the community guard continues to divide opinion in Heywood, balancing claims of community safety against concerns over vigilantism and past conduct.
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