Two young children found three 'viable' guns which had been hidden in bushes in Heywood it has been confirmed. The shocking discovery was made by the youngsters, aged seven and 10, in the Darnhill area of the town at around 6:30pm yesterday evening (Monday).
The weapons, as well as ammunition, were found on land on land off Argyle Street Greater Manchester Police (GMP) which is close to a local primary school.
The firearms have been examined and deemed to be 'viable' GMP said. An investigation to try and trace their owner is now underway. No arrests have yet been made.
However, police chiefs have hit out at whoever 'was reckless enough to try and hide them where they could be found by children.' A cordon was in place at the scene on Monday with forensic officers in white suits seen combing the area for clues. Searches have also been carried out in the surrounding area with extra officers out on patrol to help reassure locals
Inspector Jenny Partington, of GMP's Rochdale district and the neighbourhood inspector for Heywood, said: "This sort of discovery will undoubtedly be unsettling for the community but we are determined to find out who owned the firearms and was reckless enough to try and hide them where they could be found by children.
"We have carried out a thorough search of the area and will have extra patrols in the area today and for the next few days. We would urge anyone who knows anything about these firearms to come forward and tell police.
"We would also warn anyone who makes a similar discovery not to touch the items but to call police immediately."
Anyone with information about the firearms should contact police on 0161 856 8719 quoting log 2918-20/3/23.
Information can also be reported online or by using the LiveChat function at www.gmp.police.uk. If you can't report online, call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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