DOUBLE SHOOTING TERROR
GUNMEN OPEN FIRE ON HOMES
LOCALS have of spoken of their shock after a gunman fired at a house in north east Manchester.
It was one of two shootings which took place in the region just hours apart.
The first happened on Belfield Mill Lane in Rochdale on Thursday evening.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said a shotgun was fired at a house on the street in the Belfield area of the town. No one was injured but a window was damaged.
Then around midnight in the early hours of yesterday, a gun was fired at a house in Keele Close, Miles Platting.
The attack was carried out by two men who approached the house on foot, GMP said.
No one was injured but a window was damaged and the occupants had been left “upset and shaken”, they added.
Officers attended after it was reported to them just 8am yesterday and there was a significant police presence in the area throughout the morning, locals said.
Nearby residents who reported hearing a loud bang on Thursday night spoke of their shock at had happened. One woman who lives near Keele Close, who did not want to be named, said: “It was about half 11, I heard a shotgun noise.
“I thought it was a firework at first but then I thought ‘that was one loud firework.’
“I looked out and couldn’t see anything so thought it must have been nothing. But I was wary for the rest of the night.
“It was only this morning when a policeman knocked on the door that I knew something had happened. “It’s scary, really really scary.” A man who lives in the area said: “It’s crazy. There were loads of police here this morning. They closed New Allen Street and the area around two of the houses on Keele Close was taped off as well.
“We didn’t know what had happened for a good few hours but we were obviously pretty shocked when we found out what it was.”
Another neighbour said: “It’s really frightening. You hear of shootings happening but you never think it’s going to happen here. It’s just too close to home.”
Miles Platting ward councillor Carmine Grimshaw said: “I find it very disturbing that someone would pull up in the middle of the evening and fire indiscriminately upon a house.
“It’s just absolutely horrendous. We are very concerned and outraged.”
Detective Inspector Louise Edwards from GMP’s City of Manchester division said: “This was a shocking discovery for the resident of the property this morning and they’ve been left understandably upset and shaken.
“Our enquiries are in their early stages and we’re appealing to anyone with information to get in touch with police. If you live in the area and witnessed the firearm discharge or anything unusual either this morning or overnight please come forward and speak to police.
“We take incidents such as this incredibly seriously and ensuring our communities remain safe is a priority for us.
“We have increased patrols in the area and I would like to reassure the public that our team are doing all they can to ensure those responsible are identified.”
There is no suggestion the incidents are linked.
Detective Inspector Mark McDowall, of GMP’s Rochdale District, said of the Belfield attack: “I understand the concern this may cause in the community, but I wish to reassure you that we are treating this as an isolated incident.
“If you think you know something that could assist our enquiries or if you saw anything suspicious in the area around the time of this incident, then please get in touch with us as soon as possible.”
Anyone with information about the incident in Miles Platting is asked to call GMP on 0161 856 1146 quoting incident number 541 of 15/01/21.
Anyone with information about the Rochdale incident should call 0161 856 8441, quoting incident number 2193 of 14/01/2021. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers.