Manchester shooting: Armed police seal off road as shots fired in 'targeted' attack
A MAJOR police operation is underway in Manchester after reports of shots being fired in the north of the city.
Manchester: Police cordon off Harpurhey street after incident
Specialist firearms officers were despatched in response to what police understand to be targeted incidents in the Harpurhey area and officers from Greater Manchester Police's Tactical Aid Unit have launched a thorough search at the scene. There have been no reports of any injuries.
Roads have been sealed off and a large police cordon is in place. Three men are understood to have been arrested in connection with the incident.
Witnesses said police inquiries appeared to be focused on a vehicle within the sealed-off crime scene area.
Forensics specialists are examining the car while more officers carry out a fingertip search of the road where it is parked.
Superintendent Rebecca Boyce, of Greater Manchester Police’s City of Manchester North division, said: "We have received reports of shots being fired in the Harpurhey area this afternoon and specialist officers are currently responding to the incident.
"Initial enquiries are still ongoing to establish whether a firearms discharge has taken place, but it appears that these are targeted incidents and that two groups of men have been intent on committing acts of violence against one another.
"Officers are ascertaining the circumstances behind the incident but their current priority is to ensure the safety of the public as incidents such as, by their very nature, are of considerable concern."
Hartpurhey councillor Pat Karney tweeted: "So shocking to read of gunfire in a quiet residential area.
"We need to get these guns off our streets.
"Manchester is fed up with these young males who think they are in the movies."
A local resident told the Manchester Evening News: "The police won’t tell us anything.
I just heard a big commotion this afternoon when all the police cars arrived.
"The people from CSI have been here for hours looking at that car."