Police have confirmed gunshots were fired twice as violence flared outside a pub in north Manchester.
Officers were first called to the scene on Glendower Drive on the Irk Valley estate in the Collyhurst area at around 3pm on Sunday (March 12) to reports of a 'disturbance' outside a premises. A Manchester councillor and local residents claimed up to 10 men were involved in a huge fight outside The Vine pub.
Detectives believe that in connection with this 'violent disorder', gunshots were fired towards a car at the nearby junction of Queens Road and Rochdale Road. More shots were then blasted on Parkstead Drive shortly after.
A major police probe is underway, with cordons remaining in place on Tuesday morning at all three linked locations. One man 'attended' hospital after the incident, though his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening or life-changing.
Two men - aged 57 and 37 - have been arrested on suspicion of affray. They remain in custody to be quizzed by detectives.
As part of the investigation, police want to speak to witnesses or anyone who has any information, CCTV or dashcam footage. Officers particularly want to speak to anyone who was at the junction of Queens Road and Rochdale Road, on Overcombe Walk or Glendower Drive or on Parkstead Drive between 3pm and 3.20pm on Sunday.
Police have also identified 'two vehicles of interest'. These are a blue Audi with the registration plate MC67 BUZ and a grey Volkswagen with the registration plate VK72 DTZ.
The plates may have been cloned, the force said. Yesterday, enhanced police stop-and-search powers were brought in 'to prevent further violence'.
Police teams were pictured carrying out searches of the area, including looking onto bus stop roofs. A yellow forensic marker was photographed in the middle of a road and police dogs were brought in.
The Vine pub - where a man was killed in a stabbing in 2010 - was sealed off, with forensic investigators also examining the scene around it. One resident said: "I've lived on this estate for 20 years and I've never seen anything like this before.
"There have been coppers everywhere since last night. I don’t know what happened, but I’m sure it's serious."
Police can be contacted on 0161 856 1146 quoting log 1926 of 12/3/23. A report can also be made via the LiveChat function on GMP's website: www.gmp.police.uk. Alternatively, you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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