Police are probing a series of 'linked' and 'targeted' incidents that saw a gun discarded in a bin bag and homeowners 'attacked with bats' following a huge brawl in Wigan.
A large scale fight initially broke out in the early hours of Sunday (April 23) on Wellfield Road, shortly after midnight, with stop and search powers now introduced in response.
After this, at around 1.30am, a report of an aggravated burglary came in nearby, on Laburnum Grove, where it is believed four men entered a property and assaulted residents with bats.
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Another incident was then reported hours later, at around 9am on Sunday (April 23), in response to a domestic matter on Wellfield Road. Officers found a number of people inside a property with one man seen running away from the scene.
He was seen discarding a white drawstring bag on Acacia Crescent which is believed, upon examination, to be a viable firearm which has now been seized.
Greater Manchester Police have since arrested seven people, involving men and women aged between 22-48, who remain in police custody for questioning. No life-changing or life-threatening injuries were sustained in what is believed to be 'targeted attacks' by known associates.
Section 60 stop and search powers have been introduced in the nearby vicinity, including on Laburnum Grove, Wellfield Road, Willow Road, Beech Hill Road and Severn Drive.
Detective Sergeant Paul Sumner of GMP’s Wigan Criminal Investigation Department said: “We’ve made some good progress in our initial enquires since receiving these reports and responding to the three incidents that will of course cause some concern in the community.
“I want to reassure residents though we are treating this investigation extremely seriously and will continue to act in a swift and robust manner.
“We are now in a position to appeal to the public to help us identify the suspect still outstanding we believe is also involved in these incidents that ran away, along with any other detail on any of the incidents mentioned.
“Any information from the public, however small or insignificant you think it may be will still help us piece together the circumstances of these connected three incidents and help ensure we can keep our local community safe. This could be eyewitness accounts, doorbell footage or something you saw or heard overnight and in the early hours that felt out of the ordinary. As a result, extra patrol plans are in place to provide a more visible presence whilst our enquiries continue."
Information can be passed on to police by calling 0161 856 7094 or 101 quoting log numbers 130, 285 and, or 937 of the 23/04/23. Alternatively, details can be passed on anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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