Greater Manchester Police has arrested three individuals—two men in their 60s and a woman in her 50s—as part of an investigation into financial crimes at the University of Greater Manchester. All three were arrested on suspicion of money laundering, with the two men also facing fraud charges and one man additionally arrested on suspicion of bribery.
The investigation centers on allegations of financial irregularities spanning from 2014 to 2025. Police said they are examining evidence of more than £1 million in fraudulent activity encompassing 60 transactions and more than one million emails, working in coordination with the Crown Prosecution Service’s serious economic crime unit. Warrants were executed at multiple addresses across the northwest and northern England on Wednesday, yielding evidence that police described as complex and requiring methodical examination.
The arrests represent a major development in an ongoing inquiry that was first brought to police attention approximately a year ago. Initial reports of alleged offences came through media investigations beginning in February 2025, which detailed claims that university funds were diverted for private purposes. Rick Jackson, the assistant chief constable for crime at GMP, stated that the investigation has grown increasingly complex and that officers are conducting systematic work across multiple strands to build a case for potential prosecution, with an initial evidence file expected for the Crown Prosecution Service before the end of the year.
The University of Greater Manchester, formerly known as the University of Bolton, serves approximately 11,000 students and functions as a significant employer in the region. The Office for Students launched a formal investigation into the university’s management and governance in December. Phil Brickell, the local Member of Parliament, emphasized the need for the institution to maintain strong governance and public confidence amid the ongoing inquiry.
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