Appeal after shotgun fired in Oldham

Police are appealing for information after a shotgun was fired in Oldham on Friday night.

Officers were called to a report of the sound of shots fired on Broadbent Road in Oldham just before 6pm.

An investigation was immediately launched and enquiries were on-going into whether any shots were fired after no evidence was initially believed to be found and no one was reported to have been injured. However, following extensive CCTV enquiries, detectives have now confirmed a firearms discharge took place.

Enquiries so far suggest that a man fired two shots into the driver’s window of a vehicle, before the offender and the victim made off. Officers later located the victim, in his 40s, safe and well, but he did not wish to cooperate with police.

Detective Chief Inspector Ben Cottam, from GMP’s Oldham district, said: “This was clearly a distressing incident for those nearby who will no doubt have heard the noise from the incident where it’s believed a shotgun was used.

“Extensive enquiries were carried out following the first report and a discharge was confirmed to have taken place some time later.

“This is being treated as an isolated and deliberate incident and I would like to reassure residents that getting to the bottom of what happened remains an absolute priority with a number of lines of enquiry already being followed up.

“There’s no place for firearms on the streets of Greater Manchester and we have a number of officers and detectives in force working every day to bring those responsible for possessing, transferring or using firearms to justice.

“I would urge anyone with information, or anyone with dashcam footage or CCTV footage, to report it online or via LiveChat at www.gmp.police.uk or call 101. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”