SIX MORE ARRESTED IN GUNSHOT INVESTIGATION

Police confirm incident not believed to be a ‘random attack’

POLICE have made six more arrests as part of a major investigation after a gun was fired at a home in Stoke-ontrent.

Officers carried out raids at an address in Mollison Road, Meir, on Saturday night and at two houses in Weston Road, Meir, in the early hours of yesterday.

A 45-year-old woman, a 36-yearold man, a 29-year-old woman, an 18-year-old man and a 30-yearold man, all from Stoke-on-trent, have been detained on suspicion of firearms offences.

A 44-year-old man, also from Stokeon-trent, is being held on suspicion of possession of a firearm and making threats to kill.

The arrests are part of an ongoing investigation into an incident where a gun was discharged at an address in Meir last Monday although no-one was injured. Police have not revealed where exactly the firearms incident took place.

A 19-year-old man, from Stokeon-trent, was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit criminal damage with intent to endanger life last Thursday.

He has been released under investigation pending further inquiries.

Detective Chief Inspector Simon Brownsword, of Staffordshire Police, said: “Officers have arrested a further six people in connection with an incident in Stoke-on-trent last Monday evening.

“Searches were carried out by officers at an address on Mollison Road on Saturday night and two addresses on Weston Road, in Meir, in the early hours of Sunday.

“This incident has been taken seriously and officers are taking swift action to bring those responsible to justice.

“This type of crime will not be tolerated and our number one priority is the safety of our communities.

“However, I would like to reassure the public that this is not believed to be a random attack and extensive inquiries are ongoing.”

As part of the operation, police also targeted an address in Lightwood Road, Dresden, in the early hours of Thursday.

Sentinel readers got in touch on Saturday to say up to seven police cars had descended on Mollison Road in the afternoon before returning in the evening.

One resident, who did not wish to be named, said: “There were six or seven police cars at the same house that was raided the other day.”

Another witness said: “There were about five police cars going down Grangewood Road and then on to Mollison Road. I’d no idea what was going on but it looked serious.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the police on 101, quoting incident number 831 of November 5. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.