Machete-wielding thugs terrify visitor at popular beauty spot

A visitor to a local beauty spot has claimed it does not feel safe at night after a gang of machete-wielding thugs surrounded a car.

The visitor posted their experience at Dovestone Reservoir at Greenfield in the Saddleworth area following an encounter on Saturday evening. In an anonymous post, they said four lads on electric motorbikes had surrounded their car on November 23 while carrying weapons including hammers and machetes.

"The beauty spot doesn't feel safe now," wrote the visitor. "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. The visitor said they had reported the matter to police.

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."

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said he was unable to find the reported incident on the Force systems.

The beauty spot is located within the historic West Riding and now has an Oldham postcode. It attracts visitors from across West Yorkshire, the Peak District as well as Greater Manchester.

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