The University of Greater Manchester has been embroiled in a scandal surrounding alleged £1 million worth of financial crimes, with three arrests made on Wednesday morning by Greater Manchester Police (GMP). The news follows months of scrutiny into the university's management and governance, which began to unravel in February 2025 when media investigations revealed claims that university funds were being diverted for private use.
Officers executed warrants at two addresses in Bolton, alongside three further properties in Lancashire, Humberside, and West Yorkshire. Two men, both in their 60s, and a woman in her 50s were taken into custody. All three were arrested on suspicion of money laundering, with both men also facing suspicion of fraud. One of the men was additionally arrested on suspicion of bribery.
The GMP's significant investigation, undertaken in conjunction with the Crown Prosecution Service's serious economic crime unit, is currently sifting through a substantial body of evidence. This includes scrutinising over 60 financial transactions and more than a million emails, all related to the alleged fraudulent activity. Assistant Chief Constable Rick Jackson described the operation as a "significant and complex investigation," highlighting the painstaking work being undertaken by detectives.
The Office for Students (OfS) has been conducting its own investigation into the university's management and governance since December last year. Phil Brickell, MP for Bolton West, stated that a well-governed university is crucial for the town, noting that it needs to "command the confidence of my constituents, of students and of staff." The university is a significant employer in Bolton, with nearly 11,000 students contributing substantially to the local economy.
Assistant Chief Constable Jackson highlighted the impact on students, stating: "We don't lose sight of the fact that at the heart of this are students whose university experience has been impacted by money that should've been invested in their education instead allegedly being used for personal gain." The GMP's investigation into alleged financial irregularities involving the university began in May last year, with detectives conducting searches of properties in Greater Manchester and the south of England in July to seize evidence.
The controversy surrounding the university has raised concerns about its governance and management. The allegations of financial crimes are a blow to the institution, which was previously known as the University of Bolton until it changed its name in December 2025.