Leaked WhatsApp chats expose dangerous vigilante Community Guards group operating in Heywood

A supposed community safety group based in Heywood has been exposed as a breeding ground for hostility, conspiracy theories and unregulated activity, according to evidence seen by Roch Valley Radio.

A WhatsApp group claiming to “keep Heywood safe” is instead being used to share hateful, conspiratorial and vigilante-style views, a Roch Valley Radio investigation has uncovered.

Screenshots leaked from the WhatsApp group behind the “Stop the Boats” and “Heywood HMO Protesters” pages, obtained by our newsroom, show members spreading anti-Muslim rhetoric, glorifying past dictators, sharing antisemitic comments following last week’s synagogue terror attack, and discussing group visits to locations that could possibly house migrants, including the Birch Hotel.

While the group presents itself publicly as a forum for community safety and concern over the local safety of young people being groomed, the private conversations reveal a much darker reality. Members repeatedly reference nationalist figures, call for mobilisation, and use religious and military imagery to stoke a sense of cultural war.

In one particularly disturbing example, group members discussed a moment when a Black man was reportedly seen in Heywood, prompting one of the group’s so-called “community guards” to punch a wall. The act was shared and praised in the chat, not condemned, with users interpreting it as a justified emotional reaction, reinforcing a culture of aggression, racial tension and misplaced vigilance.

Other comments were posted of a similar nature;

After reportedly intimidating local residents during one of their patrols, one member praised the group by saying: "You've helped prevent unspeakable things tonight. Them knowing you were watching has sent them elsewhere... we deffo need other towns doing this."

An anonymous Facebook comment added:

“Seen a few people asking if the Heywood Community Guards are DBS checked and they either get a snide reply off another user or no reply from the HMO account.

The whole idea of a 'community patrol' is good as long as they are all background checked, given adequate training and can show unbiased actions.

I think people should be allowed to ask a genuine question when their children are being 'guarded' by these people.

Another thing is how the people committing to joining are probably not aware that if they are witness to a crime, they will likely be needed to go to court. Taking time off work to be there.”

Other messages include calls to “take back our country”, unverified claims about Muslims infiltrating the justice system and media, and praise for Adolf Hitler posted via TikTok links without challenge from others in the group. Antisemitic posts were also shared, including coded references and imagery targeting Jewish people.

This is particularly alarming given that two group members recently shared photos of themselves outside the synagogue where a terrorist attack took place last week. The context and timing raise serious questions about their motives and awareness, though no direct threat was made in the chat.

Transport arrangements for protests were also discussed, including shared Ubers and camping equipment, suggesting efforts to coordinate wider real-world action. In one post, a member asked: “Where’s the nearest gun club? That would be a good hobby to take up,” further raising concerns about escalation.

Concerns over the group’s presence near schools have also emerged. At Newhouse Academy, teachers reportedly asked members of the group, who were referring to themselves as 'guards', to leave the area after they began patrolling outside the school. Staff told the group that the school already had its own safeguarding procedures and patrols in place.

A letter sent to parents from local primary schools expressed concern over “groups of individuals in high-visibility jackets” who were not known to staff. The letter reminded parents that “no organisation has been invited by the school to patrol the premises” and advised children to speak to a trusted adult if made to feel uncomfortable.

A joint letter from several Heywood primary schools, sent to parents on Monday 6 October, stated:

“No organisation has been invited by the school to patrol the premises. These individuals are not known to staff and are not DBS checked. We have a dedicated safeguarding team, and any concerns should be raised with the school directly.”

Meanwhile, other group members are confused about whether they actually do have the backing from Greater Manchester Police, which has been published on social media by the group that they do.

Following this a comment was made by the Hmo Protesters account on Facebook saying: "“I will get physical with anyone who becomes an active threat to them and I won’t apologise for that.”

Greater Manchester Police said in a statement to Roch Valley Radio that there is no endorsement or partnership in place:

“We have named neighbourhood officers and PCSOs in every district, who are dedicated to keeping our local communities safe, working closely with partner organisations, community groups and local residents.

We always ask that people call the police in the event of an emergency or where a crime has been committed.”

The force reiterated that it does not support unofficial patrols, warning that no one should attempt to police public areas without proper authority. 

We always ask that people call the police in the event of an emergency or where a crime has been committed.

They also directed residents to the GMP ‘Your Area’ page, where local policing teams can be contacted directly: https://www.gmp.police.uk/area/your-area/greater-manchester/rochdale/north-heywood/on-the-team/our-priorities 

One Heywood resident messaged Roch Valley Radio via WhatsApp, saying:

Heywood guards are doing a brilliant job. We live round the corner and see them every morning stood there and they choose to do that because they actually care. They don’t get paid unlike the police who actually do get paid but you never see patrolling around schools ect. The crime rate in greater Manchester is through the roof because the police don’t do police work anymore and if they did then these guards wouldn’t be needed.

Meanwhile, a GoFundMe campaign titled “Heywood Community Guards” has raised over £3,100. The organisers say the funds will help volunteers gain DBS checks if that is what residents want, but questions are now being raised about transparency. The group is not a legal or registered entity, has no public liability insurance, and offers no confirmed training or safeguarding credentials.

Multiple questions on social media around how the funds will be used, or if they are being independently managed, have gone unanswered.

A spokesperson from Rochdale Borough Council said;

We are aware of concerns in the Heywood area regarding a group calling themselves ‘Heywood Community Guard’ carrying out patrols.

“This group is not supported by the council and this message has been circulated to local schools as part of our joint communication with Greater Manchester Police. Schools have also been asked not to engage with this group or permit them access to their sites.

“Given their presence outside local schools we understand parents may have concerns and we urge anyone who believes their child’s safety is at risk to contact Greater Manchester Police by calling 101 (or 999 in an emergency) or our community safety team at community.safety@rochdale.gov.uk.

The Facebook group was publicly invited to a right-to-reply, but at the time of publication, no contact had been established.