A man who was arrested in connection with two 'linked' shootings in north Manchester has been bailed, police have confirmed.
Armed police carried out a strike on Bury New Road in Prestwich on Tuesday night (September 27) and arrested the suspect in relation to the shootings in Harpurhey and Moston. The 29-year-old was 'detained' in Aldi supermarket car park and taken into police custody.
In an update today, a spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police confirmed that he has since been bailed. The first of the shootings in north Manchester happened on Evanton Walk in Harpurhey last Friday (September 23).
READ MORE: Evacuated residents hear bang from 'controlled explosion' after 'hand grenade' found
Bullets were blasted at the front door of a house at around 2am. There were no injuries reported but terrified residents were woken by loud gunshots and floods of police officers on the street as investigations began.
Gunshots were then fired at a house on Penn Street in Moston at around 9.45pm on Monday night (September 26) in what police later called a 'targeted attack'. Again, no injuries were reported but police patrols were stepped up in the aftermath.
In a statement issued earlier this week, police said they believed the shootings were linked. After arresting the 29-year-old man, a spokesperson said: "The action follows two recent shootings in the Harpurhey and Moston areas of the city on 23 September and 26 September respectively, that we believe to be linked.
"Fortunately, no one was injured in either firearms discharge but detectives from our Central Park CID have been treating both incidents with a high-level of seriousness. Investigators have been supported by our Force Critical Wanted Unit, who assisted in the locating and arresting on the suspect last night."
The shootings in north Manchester follow an incident in Oldham where three gunmen opened fire on a street on Monday, September 19 at around 11.15pm.
Detectives confirmed a man was reportedly shot at on Belmont Street by three men in balaclavas. Police believe the men were involved in an incident earlier that night on Radcliffe Street. No one was injured but police said: "The motive is currently unknown but we suspect the victim was not the intended target and investigators are keeping an open-mind."
Detective Superintendent John Griffith, head of GMP's Serious and Organised Crime Group, said the numbers of shootings has fallen across Greater Manchester and so far this year, 50 guns have been taken off the streets thanks to information from the public.
He said: "We've seen a substantial and sustained decrease in shootings across Greater Manchester in the past few years and are on course for another reduction this year thanks to the robust disruptive work that has been carried out by dedicated detectives, officers, specialist units, and partners.
"While these kinds of incidents are happening less often, they are still happening too often and I can say with confidence to the public – and particularly those involved in these acts of violence – that relentless work is ongoing to bring those responsible to justice.
"We have seen all too recently the devastating consequences of guns being carried and used in our region, and while fortunately none of the incidents in the last week have resulted in injury, it does not diminish the seriousness in which we are treating each one with.
"A lot of the answers to these investigations are in our communities and you’ve helped us seize over 50 viable guns thanks to your information this year, therefore I ask anyone who knows anything about these incidents to get in touch with us in confidence to help continue to make your streets safer."
Enquiries continue and anyone with information or concerns should contact GMP via its LiveChat facility on the website or by calling 101. Information can be passed to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Read more of today's top stories here
READ NEXT:
- Ofsted closes nursery after baby girl rushed to hospital in critical condition and woman arrested
- Greater Manchester braces for Hurricane Ian fallout as heavy rain set to hit
- Pub's hilarious sign to attract customers after busy road 'turns into pond'
- Mum who beat cancer NINE times hit with devastating diagnosis
- Messy Saturday night raving at lost Bolton nightclub unearthed on 90s TV show
