Two men have been arrested and a third injured after violence flared outside a pub and a gun was reportedly fired, it's been revealed tonight. A Manchester councillor and residents claimed up to 10 men were involved in fighting outside The Vine pub on the Irk Valley estate in the Collyhurst area of Manchester.
Police were called to the scene at around 3pm on Sunday, confirming tonight they responded to reports of 'violent disorder and a firearms discharge' near to the junction of Queens Road and Rochdale Road, Glendower Drive and Parkstead Drive.
Nearby Topley Street was cordoned off together with an area outside the pub off Glendower Drive as forensic investigators carried out detailed examinations.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed two men - aged 57 and 37 - were later arrested on suspicion of possessing ammunition for a firearm without a certificate. A 37-year-old man also 'attended' hospital with injuries that aren't believed to be life-threatening, the force added.
Enhanced police stop-and-search powers have now been brought in 'to prevent further violence', GMP said in a statement.
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.
Photographs also showed a damaged window at a house on Topley Street, although its significance hasn't been confirmed by the force. 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."
A witness claimed he saw as many as 10 men involved in fighting outside the pub. The witness went on to say a man then crashed a car into a tree as he attempted to 'mow down a cyclist', although those details haven't been confirmed by GMP.
He told the M.E.N.: "There were about 10 guys fighting outside. I heard this almighty bang. I looked outside and it was a grey Toyota and it had smashed into the tree.
"I was told by another neighbour, who got it on CCTV, that he was trying to mow down a cyclist. So he reverses his car and it was absolutely...there was steam coming from it, oil all over the road, and he walked away so I couldn't see what he was doing.
"Then he came back, and when he got into his car I thought, it's going to blow up any minute. So he drives off then, followed by his mates. And while they went, the brawl continued. I heard that someone has been injured and is in hospital."
Councillor Pat Karney, who represents the area on Manchester City Council, said there was 'shock' on the estate over what he called a suspected 'firearms discharge'. He also claimed residents were told by police to stay in their homes.
In a series of tweets, coun Karney said: "We are shocked that a possible firearms discharge has occurred connected to trouble on the estate. I grew up on this estate and I am keeping in touch with local residents.
"Residents tell me there was fighting outside the pub yesterday afternoon. We will be meeting with GMP tomorrow. Residents should not have to put up with this frightening violence. We won't stand for it.
Police have now confirmed a so-called Section 60 Order has been authorised. A spokesman said: "Police have increased their patrols in the area to provide community reassurance and have authorised a Section 60 stop and search order, which is used to prevent serious violence, and detect and apprehend those suspected of carrying weapons.
"These powers are temporary and will remain in place until 9pm tonight, Monday, to give officers extra powers to stop and search individuals. They will be reviewed tonight."
Inspector Hayley Riley said: “We have authorised these stop-and-search powers in the area in response to the incident which took place over the weekend. These measures have been put in place to prevent any further violence and keep the public safe from harm. This kind of behaviour will not be tolerated, and our officers will take robust action to ensure that our communities feel safe.
"I would urge members of the public who saw anything suspicious or witnessed the incident to come forward and report information to us immediately."
Read more of today's top stories here
READ NEXT:
- 'Horrendous' scenes as man 'knocked unconscious with single punch' outside pub
- Police didn't have 'single piece of evidence' to support woman's claims she'd been groomed by Asian gang
- Huge police cordon in place on road with forensics on scene
- Terrified TUI passengers in 'floods of tears' after pilot aborts Manchester Airport landing during blizzard
- Illegal shisha bar which 'flouted the law for years' shut down as owner slapped with huge fine
