The Detectives: Taking Down an OCG: What happened in Rochdale in 2017?
A NEW BBC series follows detectives in Greater Manchester Police working to dismantle an OCG known as ”The Adam”.
The gripping three-part fly-on-the-wall documentary follows police as they investigate the gang following an axe attack that took place in Rochdale.
What happened in Rochdale in 2017?
In 2017, an horrific axe attack took place in Rochdale – and it soon emerged that the main suspects in the attack were members of a notorious local gang known as the Adam OCG (Organised Crime Group).
On the afternoon of October 17, 2017, a teenage tree surgeon was attacked by an armed mob following a road rage row in Rochdale.
The then 18-year-old victim was one of four workmates set upon on Church Road, Newbold, by a gang of up to 20 men who had been ordered to the scene of the attack by Habibur Rahman.
Rahman felt “disrespected” after the victim stepped in to defend an elderly woman who was at the time receiving abuse for her driving, Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court heard.
Rahman then decided to enact ”swift retribution”, the judge said.
Also a member of the mob was Mohammed Sajid, also known as ”Skinny”.
Sajid arrived at the scene armed with an axe which he wielded twice – first slashing the victim in the chest, shattering ribs and causing a collapsed lung.
The second blow was described by Tim Storrie, prosecuting, as ”aimed at the victim’s head”.
Storrie said: ”He followed up with a 360 degree spin of his arm, an act which was doubtless employed to enhance the speed and devastation of the attack.
”The blow itself was aimed at the victim’s head.
”He was dimly aware at this stage of the weeping of blood down into his waistband.
”He was turning his body, attempting to leave the scene.
”Through good fortune, he said he realised the axe was above him aiming for his head.
”He put his arm up to defend himself and the blade essentially severed his arm at the wrist.”
The court also heard how the terrifying ordeal only came to an end when one of the tree surgeons picked up a chainsaw in an effort to scare the offenders away.
Following the horrific attack, the victim was able to stagger away before being transported to hospital where he received life-saving emergency surgery.
He will only ever recover 60 per cent use of his arm and remains physically and mentally scarred by the events, the court heard.
What sentences did the Adam OCG receive?
Sajid, of Kings Road, Rochdale, was jailed for 18 years after being found guilty of section 18 wounding.
Rahman, who was described as the instigator of the shocking street violence was also found guilty of an assault charge.
The court heard how he used a knuckleduster to attack one of the other tree surgeons in the face, breaking his nose.
He was jailed for four-and-a-half years.
Two others were also sentenced in relation to the attack.
Zillur Rahman, brother of Habibur Rahman, was jailed for three years for conspiracy to commit violent disorder.
Arsan Ali was also jailed after being found guilty of conspiracy to commit violent disorder.
He received a four year sentence.
How and when can I watch The Detectives: Taking Down an OCG?
With the axe attack providing a way into a wider investigation, authorities decided to launch an operation with the aim of bringing down the entire gang – and the new series follows the police probe.
The Detectives: Taking Down an OCG airs tonight (Monday, October 30, 2023) on BBC Two.
Episode two will air a day later on Tuesday, October 31, while the third instalment will be broadcast on Wednesday, November 1.
All three episodes will begin at 9pm.
However, if you can’t wait for each episode – all three parts of the new BBC series are available to stream now on BBC iPlayer.