 Following high-profile race-related conflicts, and long-term underlying racial tensions between local white and South Asian communities, major race riots broke out in the town.Occurring with particular intensity in the Glodwick area of the town, the "Oldham Riots" were the worst racially motivated riots in the United Kingdom for fifteen years prior, briefly eclipsing the sectarian violence in Northern Ireland in the media.At least 20 people were injured in the riots, including 15 police officers, and 37 people were arrested.