Police issue statement after neo-Nazis celebrate Hitler's birthday in Oldham pub with swastika cake

Yahoo

27-04-2025

Greater Manchester Police have confirmed they are investigating after neo-Nazis celebrated Adolf Hitler's birthday at an Oldham pub.
North West members of the fringe far-right extremist group British Movement pulled out racist flags and a cake decorated with a swastika at the Duke of Edinburgh, in Royton, last Saturday afternoon (April 19).
Pub staff told the Manchester Evening News they had been unaware of the group's activities, and they have since reported the matter to police.
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The M.E.N. understands police are investigating the incident as a Section 18 public order offence - which includes the displaying of written material which is threatening, abusive or insulting, intended to stir up racial hatred.
Greater Manchester Police has issued a new statement this afternoon (April 27), as it urges anyone with information about the incident to come forward.
A force spokesperson said: "Police in Oldham are investigating reports that a group attended a pub on Market Street in Royton in possession of Nazi memorabilia.
"We are treating this incident with the utmost sensitivity and severity, and we are appealing to the public.
"If you have any information which may assist with the progression of the investigation, please to come forward.
"Information can be shared by calling 0161 856 9577 or 101 quoting log 784 of April 24, 2025."
The M.E.N. revealed how members of British Movement celebrated Hitler's birthday at the pub before boasting about their exploits on social media.
Pictures posted on the organisation's Telegram feed showed the group displaying Nazi flags and a cake decorated with a swastika.
One picture, showing three men with their faces pixelated holding a flag emblazoned with a swastika, SS bolts and the Iron Cross, has been digitally altered to include a black and white photograph of Hitler.
Another shows five men stood posing behind the flag of British Movement, which was approached for comment by the M.E.N.
Video footage obtained by the M.E.N. shows the men unfurling flags and posing for pictures, with one wearing a German national team football shirt with 'Fuhrer 44' printed on the back, appearing to do the Nazi salute.
A post on the group's Telegram feed reads: "On a gorgeous sunny afternoon in Greater Manchester, a platoon of Northwest British Movement met up to celebrate the 136th Birthday of Uncle A."
The Duke of Edinburgh's incoming landlady Jean Anderson, who is taking over the pub next week from her partner Terry English, told the M.E.N. she was angered by BM's actions.
She said: "We didn't see anything until it was posted online. We thought it was a birthday party. They said they had a cake, but we didn't know what happened because they covered everything up.
"The pub was full. There were about six to eight men and one woman. They sat in the corner and didn't cause any problems. I have never seen them before but they definitely won't be coming in here again."
Craft Union, which owns the pub, said it was 'absolutely appalled at what took place' as it promised the group would not be welcome to visit its premises again.