Officers make 17 arrests in relation to firearms discharges as firearm and dangerous weapons taken off the streets of Greater Manchester

The incidents are being jointly investigated by our Serious and Organised Crime Group and Oldham Challenger teams and we have already made 17 arrests and recovered a firearm and a number of weapons.

Officers responded to four reports of firearms discharges taking place in the Oldham area between October 25 and December 8 2024. We have made 13 arrests in relation to these incidents and through targeted warrants we have recovered a large amount of drugs and a shotgun.

In an unrelated incident, an investigation was launched following a firearms discharge on Woodlands Road in Cheetham Hill on Wednesday 4 December. The male victim suffered a leg injury and attended hospital for treatment.

Since then, four men aged 26, 32, 21 and 18 have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder. All have since been bailed and the 32-year-old old man has been recalled to prison for unrelated matters.

This enforcement action is part of our proactive approach to tackling firearms discharges across Greater Manchester.

Over the past three years, 232 firearms have been seized from criminals, and some of Greater Manchester’s most dangerous offenders have been sentenced to nearly 500 years in prison.

From 2020 to 2023, Greater Manchester Police made the highest number of firearm recoveries in the North West, making up 58% of all weapons seized in the region. Each firearm recovered represents a potential life saved or a firearms-related incident averted.

Detective Superintendent Joe Harrop, Head of Serious Organised Crime in GMP, said: "Our unwavering commitment to targeting individuals involved in serious violence and firearms-related crime remains strong. We have managed to arrest 13 individuals in relation to three discharges in Oldham that we believe may be linked and have taken a large number of dangerous weapons off the streets.

“There has been a rise in firearms incidents around specific parts of Oldham and our investigations into these remain ongoing, with specialist investigators and resources dedicated to undertaking a number of warrants and other enforcement activity across Greater Manchester.

"Thanks to our proactive efforts, we are helping to prevent harm and protect our communities from further acts of violence.

"Although most firearm incidents are targeted and do not pose a broader risk to the public, we understand the fear and distress they cause in our communities. None of the firearms discharges across Greater Manchester this year have proved to be fatal.

“Our focus will continue to be on intensifying our actions, making vital arrests, executing warrants, recovering firearms, and holding those responsible for the use, supply, and modification of firearms in Greater Manchester accountable."

If you have information about firearms in your community, contact GMP on 101, or use our LiveChat function online at www.gmp.police.uk. Always dial 999 in an emergency.

If you would prefer to remain anonymous, call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.