Police confirm shootings ARE connected

Standish was yesterday rocked by the news that a shotgun had been fired at the front doors of two properties, one on Bradley Lane and at a tattoo parlour on Preston Road.

Detectives have confirmed that they are linking the incidents due to their “proximity and timing”.

And despite receiving calls on Thursday morning, they believe the shots were fired on Wednesday night between 10pm and 11pm.

One witness say around 20 heavily armed officers were sent to the Bradley Lane area.

Crime Scene Investigators spent most of Thursday morning at Holy Trinity Tattoo Parlour on Preston Road while armed officers were seen in the Bradley Lane area.

Although the incidents have been connected, police were unable to say whether they suspected the involvement of an organised crime gang but said their inquiries were ongoing.

A police spokesman said: “At around 7.45am on Thursday April 14, officers were called to an address on Bradley Lane, Standish, Wigan, to reports of a gun being fired.

“Officers attended and discovered damage to the front door of an address that is consistent with being caused by a shotgun.

“The second incident was reported at around 9.50am on Thursday April 14, when officers were called to an address on Preston Road, Standish, Wigan.

“Again, officers attended and found damage to a front door of an address that was consistent with being caused by a shotgun.

“It is believed that these incidents occurred between 10pm and 11pm on Wednesday 13 April 2016, when a loud bang was heard outside.

“The two incidents are being linked by police due to the proximity and timings.

“Anyone with any information relating to these incidents should contact police on 101 or alternatively, the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.”

Meanwhile, Coun George Fairhurst told the Post the incident “came out of the blue” and had shocked the otherwise “quiet community”.

He said: “The police need to get to the bottom of what’s going on and I’m sure they will.

“We’re not used to this around here in Standish, we’re a quiet community. This is completely out of the blue.

“It’s almost unbelievable to hear that people are shooting at things and there’s been two incidents.”

One witness told the Evening Post: “There were about 20 heavily armed police on Bradley Hall. They’re just parked up but toting machine guns and body armour.”

Janice Barber posted on the WiganToday Facebook page: “Omg I heard the bang last night, thought it was a firework. God, too close to home, hope all is ok.”

Amy Cummings posted: “This is crazy! Have had work there, great team. Hope all is ok.”

Charlotte Glover posted: “By the way people talk you’d think a war had broke out, there was two officers there for about an hour, then they left, they knocked at mine but I didn’t hear a thing last night.”