Sunderland shooting - more arrests
19 people now held by Police.
19 people have now been arrested in connection with a Sunderland shooting and associated criminal activity as police continue to pursue those involved.
High visibility patrols remain to offer reassurance to local communities in the city.
On Monday (February 29) a window was shot at at an address in Edgmond Court in Hollycarrside, no-one was in the property at the time and no-one was injured.
An investigation was launched and it is believed the incident is the culmination of an on-going feud between rival groups in the city.
Police reinforced their commitment to relentlessly pursue those involved with the criminal network connected to the incident and on-going disupte and activity continued yesterday (Thursday, March 3).
Since the incident on Monday, Police have carried out numerous house searches and made a number of arrests. On Tuesday (March 1) two vehicles were stopped in Fulwell Road and five men arrested.
Now, 19 men and women between the ages of 20 and 60 across Sunderland and Newcastle have been arrested in connection with the investigation.
Of those arrested 2 remain in police custody and two have been charged.
Southern Area Command T/Supt Sarah Pitt said:
"Our investigation is continuing to gather pace as we unravel the events that led to the illegal use of a firearm on Monday and relentlessly pursue those suspected of being involved.
We anticipate there will be even more arrests as we continue to carry out activity to cause disruption to the lives of people we suspect are connected to this dispute.
I'd like to reiterate that thankfully the number of crimes involving firearms in the city is very low and incidents like this do not happen very often. However, when they do happen those involved can expect a robust response from police and we make no apology for this.
Police will continue to carry out regular patrols throughout the city, they are there to offer reassurance to local communities and I would urge anyone who is concerned to approach an officer on patrol and speak to them."
Anyone with information about the incident on Monday or the on-going dispute should contact Northumbria Police on 101 quoting reference 511 290216 or they can pass information to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.