A warning that 'there is no place for vigilantism in Oldham' has been issued as police and local leaders call for calm following a spate of disorder and violence after a video of a young man being viciously attacked sent 'shockwaves' through the community.

Oldham police and the council held a press conference outside Oldham police station today (July 5) to discuss the incident, reassure the public and appeal for calm while investigations continue.

Chief Superintendent, Chris Bowen, thanked the community for providing police with vital leads which saw GMP arrest three men in connection to the assault over the weekend.

He said that the police were able to bring in extra detectives based on new information and leads that they had gained from members of the public.

Mr Bowen confirmed that the three arrested, aged between 17 and 20, have been released on strict police bail while investigations continue.

He said: "I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the community for coming forward with that information that assisted us in taking the investigation forward.

"But, I would also like to ask the community to give us the opportunity to deal with the incident, to give us the time and space we need to conduct a thorough investigation and not to speculate on things on social media.

"And if they do get any information that they feel can assist us to pass it to us straight away."

The calls for calm come as Westwood East Restaurant was subject to an attack last night (July 4) with a number of people smashing windows and attending the establishment with baseball bats.

A number of homes were also subject to violence and attacks over the weekend.

Fire services have given at least five homes extra protection against arson in light of the attacks.

Speaking about the rise in vigilantism, Mr Bowen said: "Retaliation, in any form, is counterproductive.

"It heightens community tensions and makes the situation worse."

Mr Bowen said that retaliation will be treated as seriously as those who committed the initial offence.

"Let us deal with it properly.

"There is no place for vigilantism in Oldham, there is no place for vigilantism in Manchester", he added.

The Chief Superintendent also revealed Section 60 stop and search powers will also be increased in the area as well as a ramped-up police presence over the coming days to reassure the community.

"Weapons will not be tolerated on the streets of Oldham and positive action will be taken.

"So I ask one last time, please work with us, not against us.

"Together we can make a stronger Oldham for everybody, a safer Oldham for everybody and ensure the investigation is concluded appropriately.

"My appeal to you today is if you have any information that can assist with our enquiries, please tell us.

"If you want to tell us anonymously, tell Crimestoppers", Mr Bowen added.

Sayyed Osman, Deputy Chief Executive of Oldham Council, similarly appealed for the community to work with the authorities.

Mr Osman said: "The perpetrators will be arrested and justice will be served in the appropriate manner, but you have to give space for the right investigation to take place and that takes time, that's about accuracy and about doing it in the right way."

He later added: “I can totally understand how the community is angry and frustrated on what they appear to have seen is a lack of police action, but I just want to reassure the public that as soon as we had information we could act on, we acted on it and we were there straight away.

"An attack like this on an individual sends the wrong messages out to the community.

"It makes people who are already vulnerable, people who are perhaps isolated, afraid to come out and what we’re trying to do through work with the police is to investigate and ensure the people responsible are brought to justice."

Mr Osman admitted that the disturbing video footage of the assault sent "shockwaves" through the Oldham community but said the strong feelings just go to show that people "love Oldham".

"What we appeal to them is to channel that love into a constructive, supportive atmosphere that helps us to bring a stronger community."

Many people at the community meet-up on Sunday felt as though policing in the borough and cracking down on gang violence is last on the agenda.

READ MORE: Oldhamers demand answers after police 'too slow' to act to brutal gang attack.

When asked about this, the Chief Inspector said: "I can categorically say Oldham is not at the bottom of anyone’s list.

"I was appointed as the new district commander here back in October and I’ve made it quite clear that my priority is to make Oldham the safest place to work, visit and live in Greater Manchester and that’s what my job is to do.

"Now, I know we started from a low place and I know there are some community confidence issues in Oldham but working with partners and delivering on the promises that I made back in October, we’re pushing that forward all the time.

"Yes there is an incident running at the moment but overall, on every conceivable measure, Oldham is in a far better place from a policing perspective now than it was 12 months ago.

"So all I want to say is keep working with us, trust us, keep giving us information and we will do what we need to do to make Oldham the safest place to live, work and visit in Greater Manchester".