Salford van shooting

Police appeal for witnesses

Published 17th Aug 2016

Police have launched an appeal for witnesses after a van was shot at in Salford.

Shortly before 12.30am on Tuesday, police were called to reports of gun shots being fired at a van on a travellers site on Amersham Street in Salford.

Police were informed that two men, riding bicycles, had used abusive language and shouted at the owner of the van, making reference to him being of the travelling community.

Police are treating this incident as a hate crime and keen to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the incident to contact police.

Earlier that day, two men, believed to be the same men, were heard shouting and being verbally abusive on the same site. Police are also appealing for anyone who may have seen this incident which occurred between 2pm and 4pm on Monday 15 August 2016 to get in touch.

This incident is not believed to be connected to any of the recent shootings in Salford.

Detective Inspector Kenny Blain from GMP’s Salford Borough said: “We could have easily been dealing with a very different, more tragic situation here.

“Next to the van was a caravan with the victim and his four children inside, it doesn’t bare thinking about if one of the bullets had ricocheted in the wrong direction.

“We are keen to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the incident or may have some idea who is responsible for the attack.

“Guns are not welcome on our streets and we are doing all that we can to find these man so they can’t put anyone else in danger.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101 or via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.