Full Breakdown
Ferrari Vandalised During Oldham Election Count Sparks Investigation
5/8/2026, 8:00:37 AM
The Incident: Ferrari Vandalised During Ballot Count
Shortly before 2 a.m. on the night of May 7-8, a red Ferrari parked on Union Street outside The Loom in Oldham was vandalised. The windscreen was smashed, the bumper dented and footprints were visible on the bonnet. Police were called to the scene and Greater Manchester Police opened an investigation.
Election Context: Nationwide Local Elections
The vandalism occurred as England, Scotland and Wales held simultaneous elections. Polls closed at 10 p.m. on Thursday, May 7, and counts began immediately, including Oldham’s. Across the country, thousands of seats on 136 councils were contested, with all ten Greater Manchester boroughs voting and roughly one-third of their councillors up for election. The night also featured six English mayoral contests and elections for the Scottish and Welsh parliaments.
Key Figures: Councillor Kamran Ghafoor and the Oldham Group
Councillor Kamran Ghafoor, leader of the Oldham Group and Hollinwood ward representative, owned the damaged Ferrari. The Oldham Group, one of two main opposition blocs to Labour on the council, currently has nine members; Ghafoor hoped to raise that number to 16 in the night’s vote. Ghafoor also co-owns property firm KKS Investors with Sameer Zulqurnain.
Official Responses: Council, Police, and Group Statements
A spokesperson for Oldham Council confirmed that the council is reviewing CCTV footage from the area. Greater Manchester Police confirmed officers were dispatched and that a formal inquiry is under way. Members of the Oldham Group said the attack appeared “targeted,” reflecting concerns about possible political motivation.
Criticism & Opposition: Past Controversies and Reputation
Earlier this year a King Street building owned by KKS Investors collapsed, injuring five people. Ghafoor asserted the company had done nothing wrong before the collapse, but local media highlighted his reputation in some quarters as a “slum” landlord. The incident has resurfaced as a point of criticism amid the current vandalism.
Data & Statistics
- 136 councils and thousands of seats were contested nationwide.
- All ten Greater Manchester boroughs held elections; about one-third of their councillors were up for election.
- Six mayoral elections in England and simultaneous Scottish and Welsh parliamentary elections were also held.
- Five people were injured in the King Street building collapse.
- The Oldham Group currently holds nine seats and is targeting 16.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact date of the vandalism, with some describing it as occurring on May 8 while the count began after polls closed on May 7. No details on suspects, motives or CCTV findings have been released, leaving the investigation open.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Members of the Oldham Group believe the attack was 'targeted'.” — Oldham Group members
- “? View 3 Images Kamran Ghafoor A spokesperson for Oldham Council said they are looking into the incident and will be reviewing CCTV.” — Oldham Council spokesperson
- “Officers from Greater Manchester Police have been called to the scene.” — Greater Manchester Police
What’s Next: Ongoing Investigation and Election Outcomes
Greater Manchester Police will continue their formal inquiry. Oldham Council is reviewing CCTV footage. Election results due later this week will reveal whether the Oldham Group achieves its target of 16 seats, shaping the political response to the incident.
