Armed police carried out a dramatic strike to arrest a suspect in relation to a series of shootings in Greater Manchester, it's been revealed.
Firearms officers were pictured last night - Tuesday - on Bury New Road in the Prestwich area of Bury after a man was taken into custody during the operation.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed today a 29-year-old man was 'detained' in the car park of the Aldi supermarket on Bury New Road at around 8.30pm after armed police stopped a black Audi that he was driving. He's in custody and is due to be questioned today in relation to firearms offences, a GMP spokesman confirmed.
Gunshots were fired at a house on Penn Street in Moston, north Manchester, at around 9.45pm on Monday night in what police later called a 'targeted attack'. Although thankfully no injuries were reported, police patrols were stepped up in the aftermath.
Bullets were also blasted at the front door of a house on Evanton Walk in Harpurhey, north Manchester, at 2am last Friday morning. Again there were no injuries, but terrified residents were woken by loud gunshots and floods of police officers on the street as investigations began.
In a statement today, Greater Manchester Police said they believed the two shooting incidents were linked.
A spokesman said: "We've arrested a man in relation to two recent shootings in north Manchester after an armed strike by our specialist officers in Prestwich last night.
"The 29-year-old was detained in a supermarket car park after we stopped a black Audi that he was driving. He is in custody to be questioned on suspicion of firearms offences.
"The action follows two recent shootings in the Harpurhey and Moston areas of the city on 23 September and 26 September respectively, that we believe to be linked.
"Fortunately, no one was injured in either firearms discharge but detectives from our Central Park CID have been treating both incidents with a high-level of seriousness. Investigators have been supported by our Force Critical Wanted Unit, who assisted in the locating and arresting on the suspect last night."
The shootings in north Manchester follow an incident in Oldham where three gunmen opened fire on a street on Monday, September 19 at around 11.15pm.
Detectives confirmed a man was reportedly shot at on Belmont Street by three men in balaclavas. Police believe the men were involved in an incident earlier that night on Radcliffe Street. No one was injured but police said: "The motive is currently unknown but we suspect the victim was not the intended target and investigators are keeping an open-mind."
No arrests have been made.
Detective Superintendent John Griffith, head of GMP's Serious and Organised Crime Group, said the numbers of shootings has fallen across Greater Manchester and so far this year, 50 guns have been taken off the streets thanks to information from the public.
He said: "We've seen a substantial and sustained decrease in shootings across Greater Manchester in the past few years and are on course for another reduction this year thanks to the robust disruptive work that has been carried out by dedicated detectives, officers, specialist units, and partners.
"While these kinds of incidents are happening less often, they are still happening too often and I can say with confidence to the public – and particularly those involved in these acts of violence – that relentless work is ongoing to bring those responsible to justice.
"We have seen all too recently the devastating consequences of guns being carried and used in our region, and while fortunately none of the incidents in the last week have resulted in injury, it does not diminish the seriousness in which we are treating each one with.
"A lot of the answers to these investigations are in our communities and you’ve helped us seize over 50 viable guns thanks to your information this year, therefore I ask anyone who knows anything about these incidents to get in touch with us in confidence to help continue to make your streets safer."
Enquiries continue and anyone with information or concerns should contact GMP via its LiveChat facility on the website or by calling 101. Information can be passed to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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