Houses and cars were torched in a series of 'targeted' arson attacks following what is now understood to be a dispute between a drugs gang.
Farnworth and its surrounding areas were rocked by series of six arson attacks said to be linked to a 'tit-for-tat gang war'. Several homes and cars were set ablaze in the Farnworth, Great Lever and Daubhill areas in a single hour of violence and destruction in the early hours of April 16.
The Manchester Evening News now understands that although the catalyst for the string of 'targeted' and 'linked' incidents has not yet been identified, it centered around an organised crime gang involved with the dealing of drugs in the area.
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Greater Manchester Police have so far arrested and conditionally bailed six people on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson following a number of warrants carried out over the weekend. Another wanted suspect is also understood to have left the country.
Investigations into the shocking incidents are still in their early stages, but it was quickly established that a number of homes were directly targeted along with a vehicle that the offenders used to transport themselves to and from each property between 12am and 1am on April 16.
That same vehicle was then deliberately torched in a bid to eradicate any forensic evidence. It was so badly damaged that police are still carrying out work to to find the person responsible for the car blaze.
It is also understood that inside some of the homes attacked were families who were sleeping. Speaking to the Manchester Evening News previously, Mohammed Ayub, a councillor in Great Lever, said the feud came about following a split in a gang based across Farnworth and Great Lever and that had the blazes spread, the occupants inside 'wouldn't have stood a chance'.
He said: "My understanding is it's a war between gangs. There's been a falling out within a gang and now it's tit-for-tat. They probably don't realise how dangerous these attacks are, but I know that two occupants of the houses that were targeted are severely disabled.
"If the fire had spread to the houses they would have stood no chance. [Gang-related crime] is something new that's crept up over the last year or so."
A number of police scenes were in place across Great Lever and Daubhill following the six arson attacks in the immediate aftermath and throughout the following day on Plodder Lane, Green Lane, Crescent Road and Howcroft Street.
Investigations so far are thought to suggest the spate of attacks is linked to drugs and organised crime, but were specifically targeted, with patrols now increased and being led by officers from the neighbourhood team at Farnworth. It is still understood to be unclear why certain homes were attacked.
It is also understood that some suspects were known to police, but following these recent incidents, the force is now mapping the gang as an organised crime group. As part of efforts to disrupt the activities of gang crime in the area and ongoing investigations, Greater Manchester Police have also carried out three warrants and seized materials of interest over the weekend.
Greater Manchester Police stressed that gang crime is not typically prevalent in the surrounding area but following the seriousness and recklessness of the attacks, are continuing to appeal for members of the community, many of whom will hold vital information and intelligence, to report it immediately.
Previously, Detective Chief Inspector Peter Morley of GMP Bolton’s district said the arson attacks were 'shocking displays of violence and aggression' that put 'innocent members of the public at risk.'
Despite this, it's not the first time the town has been rocked by gang violence. In 2017 two members of a Farnworth gang were among six men jailed following a spate of tit-for-tat shootings between rival drug clans in Farnworth and nearby Little Hulton.
The first shooting came after one of the thugs ordered a hit on the man who started a relationship with his ex-girlfriend while he was in jail. An innocent bystander was instead shot.
Three more shootings - all on the same day - followed. Six men from three gangs were sent down for a total of 107 years and four months after being convicted of conspiring to possess a firearm.
Anyone with any information or footage of this incident should contact police on 0161 856 5757 or 101 quoting log 14 of 16/04/2023. You can also use the Live Chat service on the GMP website. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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