A ‘shooting’ in Wigan was the second firearms incident that took place in Greater Manchester today
Police van on Bevington Street, Ashton-in-Makerfield(Image: Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News)
Heavy rain falls as a solitary police van is ominously parked on a eerily quiet street in Wigan. However, hours ago, hordes of police flooded the neighbourhood reports of blanks fired by a ‘gunman’.
Officers attended Bevington Street, in Ashton-in-Makerfield, Wigan, today (September 20). It comes after ‘two blank rounds’ were fired at around 11.09am this morning, Greater Manchester Police says.
A 54-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm and the weapon was seized. Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, one local described the moment “loads of police” descended on the street.
“I didn’t hear the blanks, even though my window was open all morning.” They explained.
“I just saw loads of police on the street. There was at least two firearms police trucks. It’s normal.
“It’s rough around here, something similar will happen in about two weeks.”
The ‘shooting’ was the second firearms incident that took place in Greater Manchester today following an incident in Gorton, but the two are not thought to be connected.
A GMP spokesperson said: “Officers responded to reports of a firearms discharge on Bevington Street in Ashton-in-Makerfield at 11:09am today (Saturday, September 20).
“It is believed two blank rounds were discharged and no injuries have been reported. The firearm has been seized.
“This is an isolated incident with no wider threat to the public.
“A 54-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm. He is in police custody.”