Drive-by shootings: more arrests
POLICE SAY SHOOTINGS AT HOMES CONNECTED
TEN suspects have now been arrested in the Tyneside double drive-by shooting probe.
Police have arrested eight men and two women after firearms were fired at homes in Cowgate and Benwell in Newcastle on Monday night.
The first report came in to police shortly after 9pm when a gunshot was heard on Deepdale Crescent in Cowgate.
Officers attended and found a window had been damaged at a house on the street.
Then at 11.10pm it was reported two loud bangs were heard in Oakfield Gardens in Benwell. Two bullet holes could be seen in the front window of the home.
Nobody was injured in either incident.
Police said on Wednesday they believe those involved are all known to each other.
Since the incidents officers have swooped to arrest 10 people.
Six men have been released under investigation while two women and two men remain in police custody. Supt Nicola Musgrove, of Northumbria Police, said: “This is the fourth incident involving a firearm since the New Year so we recognise that people may have concerns. “The first incident in Brunswick on New Year’s Day is being treated as an isolated incident and a man has already been arrested and charged in connection with that. “We do believe those involved are known to each other and that there is no wider risk to the public at this time.
“We are also keeping an open mind as to whether the same people are involved in the firearms incident in Brunswick on January 4 and enquiries are progressing in that case.”
A 28-year-old mum has told how she witnessed one of the arrests, in the Cowgate area, while on her way to do the school run, on Wednesday.
She said: “I basically saw about three or four armed response units, a dog unit and armed officers with guns, who had a house surrounded.
“There was a lot of armed police. I was stuck in the road and I couldn’t drive past. There must have been about 10 officers surrounding the house. I could see one of the officers putting the door in.
“It’s a bit scary having that going on that close to home when kids are coming home from school. My little boy thought it was great, but it is worrying when you have got kids of 10 or 11 walking home from school on their own.”
Any witnesses, or anyone with any information about the incidents, should call Northumbria Police on 101 quoting log 983 08/01/18.
Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.