Salford Challenger Team and Neighbourhood officers conduct weapons sweep of park in Patricroft to tackle organised crime

GMP officers from Salford were in Eccles on Wednesday 12 February where they conducted a sweep of Patricroft Park to look for any dangerous weapons that may be hidden by organised crime gangs. 

This was a joint effort involving Salford’s Challenger Team, the dedicated team tackling organised crime in Salford, alongside our Tactical Aid Unit (TAU) and the local Neighbourhood Policing Team. 

Last year alone we recovered 81 firearms, which is up from 2023.  

Most significantly, while trends across the UK are seeing reduced recoveries of firearms, we are increasing recoveries and in the last four years, 308 illegal firearms have been recovered or seized from criminals, preventing further critical or fatal incidents.

Routine sweeps of the Patricroft Park were made along pathways lined with dense shrubbery as well as in bushes and trees, while the Neighbourhood team visited local schools and spoke to nearby residents to raise awareness and listen to any concerns. 

No weapons were recovered from this search and further searches of green spaces and wooded areas will take place in the coming weeks, as well as proactive patrols in local neighbourhoods to offer a reassuring presence in our communities. 

The weapons sweep follows firearms discoveries in parks and wooded areas across Salford in recent weeks, including Dukes Drive in Monton on 7 February and Ivy Park in Eccles on 8 February.  

Upon recovery, the weapons were made safe and are no longer in the hands of dangerous criminals. 

While most firearms incidents are targeted and do not pose a threat to the wider public, we understand the concerns felt across the local communities at the recovery of these dangerous weapons. 

This is why we and have been carrying out proactive police work and utilising our dedicated teams to focus on tackling violence and organised criminality on our streets.  

Our investigations rely on intelligence gathered from the public and we use this to proactively pursue organised crime gangs, protect people and prevent crime in our communities. 

As an example of this ongoing work, in January this year, three men received custodial sentences totalling over 29 years for their involvement in a shooting in Little Hulton in May 2024. 

This was a targeted attack which took place at a property on Aspinall Crescent and resulted in a 20-year-old man being shot in the chest and receiving life-threatening injuries.  

The victim was fortunate to survive his injuries after receiving hospital treatment. 

GMP’s Challenger Team in Salford quickly launched an investigation which resulted in all three men being found guilty with wounding with intent. Three men sentenced to over 29 years’ imprisonment for their part in a shooting in Little Hulton last year | Greater Manchester Police 

Detective Inspector Rebecca McGuigan from Salford Challenger Team said: “Everyone should have the right to feel safe where they live and work without the fear of dangerous weapons in their neighbourhoods. 

“That is why we continue to proactively work in our communities to tackle organised criminality and provide a reassuring presence for residents. 

“There is no place for guns on our streets and we will continue to make crucial arrests and recoveries of firearms and remove them from our streets. 

“We appreciate the help of our communities and will continue to work on any intelligence leads we receive, and act upon these accordingly. 

“Anyone with information is encouraged to directly contact police on 101, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111. In an emergency, always dial 999.”