On Air Now

Wide Awake Club

2:00am - 5:00am

Now Playing

The Killers

Just Another Girl

IN PHOTOS: 'Stop the boats' as Hundreds join Heywood protest against illegal immigration

Credit: David Murphy

A protest march through Heywood on Saturday 9 August 2025 drew hundreds of participants calling for tougher action on illegal immigration and the regulation of houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) in the borough.

The demonstration, which was heavily policed, focused on opposing illegal immigration by boat, concerns about unchecked migrants living in local HMOs, and perceived links to crime and child grooming. Protesters marched several times through Heywood before concluding outside the office of Heywood and Middleton MP Elsie Blundell.

Among those present was Councillor Jordan Tarrant-Short, the Reform UK councillor for Balderstone and Kirkholt, who was seen front and centre of the march. Former Rochdale Council leader Colin Lambert was also in attendance.

The event remained under a significant police presence, with officers monitoring as the march passed repeatedly through the town centre. The crowd then gathered outside Ms Blundell’s office, where speeches addressed immigration enforcement, housing regulation, and community safety.

A follow-up protest titled Enough is Enough has already been publicised for Saturday 30 August, with organisers planning to gather outside Rochdale Town Hall.

Donate to Roch Valley Radio

 

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something happening in our Borough?

Let us know by emailing newsdesk@rochvalleyradio.com

All contact will be treated in confidence.

More from Local News

Comments

Add a comment

Log in to the club or enter your details below.

Donate to Roch Valley Radio

 

Recently Played

Newsletter

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated.

   

Coming up next On Air

  • Wide Awake Club

    2:00am - 5:00am

    For those who find themselves awake at 3am more often than they’d like. Calm music, understanding voices and quiet company.

  • Up Before the Alarm

    5:00am - 7:00am

    for early starters, commuters and anyone already on their second brew. Livelier music and new voices warming things up before breakfast.

  • Friday Breakfast

    7:00am - 10:00am

    getting you out of bed and to work and school with great music and headlines.

  • Spooky Talk

    10:00am - Noon

    with Gemma Johnson, playing a mixture of her favourite music with a sprinkling of the spooky to breathe life into your Friday morning.

  • Pauline

    Noon - 2:00pm

  • The Wellness Hour

    2:00pm - 3:00pm

    with Kim G, a warm and accessible wellbeing hour offering practical self-care tips, grounded health insight, and a gentle Friday wind-down.