Detectives comb estate after two gunshots heard
SECOND FIREARMS INCIDENT IN COUNTY IN A WEEK
DETECTIVES have been searching a car park and taped off large areas after two gunshots were fired on a housing estate in Mansfield - the second firearms incident in the county in the last week.
The shots were heard in Edwalton Court, an estate made up of terraced houses off the A6117 Adamsway, bordered by the A6191 Southwell Road West, at 9pm on Thursday.
No injuries were reported and a heavy police presence remained in place yesterday afternoon.
Detectives have been seen combing an adjoining car park to the houses, with a number of police cars and crime scene vans at the scene.
An alleyway leading to some garages has been taped off by the force. Witnesses described hearing the shots and described the scale of the police response.
“All I heard was gunshots, then by the time I had got outside there was a smashed wall and [loads] of police cars pulling up to it,” said Katie Parker.
A 30-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of firearms offences in connection with the incident in the town. Detective Inspector James Oakton, of Nottinghamshire Police, issued an urgent appeal for any drivers to hand over dashcam footage which may help with the investigation.
He said: “Officers have been conducting a thorough search of the area and will remain there for most of the day as we work to understand what happened.
“I would urge any witnesses to please come forward. Our investigation is in its early stages and we would like to hear from anyone in the community who has any information that could be vital to our inquiries. We would also like to hear from any motorists with dashcams who were in the area at the time.”
Inspector Kylie Davies, district commander for Mansfield, said patrols had been stepped up in the area.
“There is absolutely no place for firearms in our communities. We won’t stand for it, and we will do our utmost to arrest and prosecute those intent on carrying and using them,” she said.
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to asked to call the force on 101, quoting incident 757 of May 9, 2024. Alternatively, the independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.
It is the second firearms incident in just a matter of days. A window of a Co-op shop was shattered after a gun was fired in The Meadows on Sunday, May 5, in an unrelated incident.