Two shootings in September and a fresh outbreak of violence on New Year's Eve has led to police using extra stop and search powers in a district of north Manchester. Greater Manchester Police introduced so-called Section 60 powers in Harpurhey and wider area for 24 hours.
The move followed a shooting on September 23rd when bullets were blasted into a home in Evanton Walk in Harpurhey at 2am. Three days later gunshots were fired at a house in Penn Street Moston at around 9.45pm on Monday September 26th. No one was injured but police said both shootings were 'targeted', linked, and being treated with "a high level of seriousness".
In a dramatic swoop police arrested a 29-year-old man from north Manchester after an armed strike by specialist officers in Prestwich on September 27th in the car park of Aldi supermarket in Prestwich. The suspect was detained when police stopped a black Audi that he was driving. He was out on licence at the time of the incident for another serious offence and has since been returned to prison.
But two outbreaks of violence on New Year's Eve in the north Manchester area prompted the use of Section 60 powers. In a statement, the force said the powers have been implemented to assist GMP officers in 'preventing serious violence following several violent crimes in the Harpurhey area recently'.
GMP have published a map showing the area being targeted. The zoned area highlighted by police includes Harpurhey shopping centre, the Asda store and McDonald's. It stretches out through Moston Vale to Greater Manchester Police headquarters.
The Manchester Evening News understands that violence due to an ongoing feud is behind the police decison to impose the measure on New Year's Day.
Supt Paul Walker of the City of Manchester Division, said: " The incidents referred to the discharge of firearms related to incidents back in September which were dealt with at that time. We have no further confirmed reports of firearms discharges in the area over recent days linked to recent incidents in the area.
"The incidents leading to the S60 being put in place relate to two incidents which occurred on New Year's Eve involving violence and weapons, with no confirmed sightings of any firearms."
Today In pouring rain outside Harpurhey Market, shoppers went about their day without too much concern. It was a quiet morning as life began to return to normal after the festive period.
"Stay here for a bit and you will see how it gets," one shopper shouted towards the M.E.N. as she rushed through Harpurhey Shopping Centre. "There's always a row or something kicking off."
While some were aware of police stepping up their presence in recent days, there was uncertainty over the reasons for it. "I saw the police were doing some stop and search because of violence," one woman told the M.E.N. as she hurried through Harpurhey's precinct.
"To be honest I haven't heard anything about it, we're obviously not informed about what's going on in our area. We were like 'I wonder what's going on?'. We'd not heard anything. We're still not really sure what's supposed to be happening."
Angela Churchouse, 74, had travelled to Harpurhey from Middleton. She said she felt 'reasonably safe', but had received a word of caution from her husband following the recent police activity.
Mrs Churchouse said: "My husband said 'be careful, there have been some problems recently'. I would be rather nervous going out on my own at night."
There was a sense of fear among some north Manchester shoppers, although they said their concerns predated the recent incidents. A mum from nearby Blackley, who the M.E.N. is not naming, described the toll on her family's life that followed her then-teenage son being mugged in their own front garden.
"I feel like I'm always looking over my shoulder," the 46-year-old said. "I think, because it was my garden, I feel unsafe.
"I know not everyone is the same, it probably was a one-off, but I feel like I'm constantly looking and waiting for it to happen again. My son's got PTSD, but he is at university now and he's doing better."
A 44-year-old woman from Moston, who gave her name as Rosemary, said: "I don't feel that safe, I have to be honest. In the night you see people going around with hoodies, but you just hope for the best. It's a bit scary when you think about young children and they are out on their own."
Not all shoppers felt concerned for their safety though. A 51-year-old man, who gave his name as Lee, said he has had 'no issues' in the 25 years he has lived in Harpurhey.
"I don't think it's too bad," he added. Derek Hall, 63, from Moston, added: "It's alright.
"There's not as many problems as there used to be. Everybody knows everybody. You've got the gangs around... but you don't hear of any big fights or anything."
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