Appeal after disturbance at Gorton address uncovers cannabis plants

An investigation is ongoing after a disturbance in east Manchester last night led to police discovering a number of cannabis plants.

Officers were called at around 11pm on Saturday 4 September after neighbours heard a commotion at an address on Azalea Avenue, Gorton.

Subsequent house-to-house enquiries have established that a group of around six men wearing balaclavas pulled up in a white Berlingo van, a silver Ford Focus, and a possible third dark vehicle outside the property and forced entry before making off.

A scene remains in place and searches are ongoing at the targeted property after around 60 cannabis plants were found; no one was inside the address and it is unknown if anyone came to harm.

Detectives from GMP's City of Manchester and Serious Crime divisions are working at pace to establish the full circumstances behind the incident, to ensure the safety of the occupant and to identify those involved.

They also ask anyone with any information or who may have seen suspicious activity in the area to contact police on 999 quoting incident 3442 of 04/09/2021.

Details can be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Detective Inspector Louise Edwards, of the Central Park CID, said: "Our main priority is establishing that no one came to harm during this incident and that those involved are caught and brought into custody.

"Already from carrying out enquiries in the neighbourhood we are developing a greater understanding about what has occurred here, and we are working on the lines of enquiry that have been generated as a result.

"We share the concern of the community after an incident like this has occurred, but we are confident this was a targeted incident and that there is no risk to the wider public.

"It is unknown if the occupant was in the property at the time and there is no evidence to suggest they were involved in this disturbance but we are keeping an open mind and want to ensure they are safe and well.

"We are keen to hear from any other members of the public who may have seen or heard something last night that aroused suspicion."