Imitation firearm recovered near Waterhead Park

Last night (Sunday), at around 7pm, police officers from Operation Vulcan were on patrol near Waterhead Park in Oldham when they were approached by two youths.

They’d been playing football on the basketball courts when their ball entered the adjacent bushes.

While looking for their ball, they discovered a blue Smyths Toys bag for life, which they believed contained a firearm. 

Specialist armed officers attended the scene and confirmed that the weapon was an imitation firearm.

While on this occasion it was fortunately not a viable firearm, these items can often be used in serious criminality to escalate violence and intimidate people. 

A scene remains in place, and the public will see additional officers in the area whilst police conduct enquiries.

Following a spate of firearms disputes in the area, Operation Vulcan are working alongside detectives in GMP's Serious Organised Crime Group to target high harm offenders and ensure the area becomes hostile to crime, and to help to build a resilient community to show the criminals that they are not welcome.

Inspector Dan Cullum, from Operation Vulcan, said: ”Throughout our proactive operation so far, we’ve made over 55 arrests, and we are continuing to identify individuals who for too long have acted with impunity to ensure they are brought to justice.

“Criminals know we are in the area, and that we’re executing regular warrants to root out the crime.

"We know that criminals can often store illicit items in public places as a way of keeping themselves away from the overt crime, and covering their tracks, but we will always seek to use all resources available to identify who is responsible.

“I’d like to thank the community for their support so far with this, we know that news of this nature may cause alarm, but I want to reassure local residents that we will follow every line of enquiry to locate who placed this item in the park.

“Fortunately, on this occasion it was not a viable firearm.

"However, if the circumstances were different, and had a child found a firearm, it could very well have had fatal consequences, so I’d like to thank those members of the public for approaching our officers this evening us as soon as they located it.

"We do not underestimate the gravity that organised crime has on our communities, and we are treating this recovery with the utmost severity.

“Over the coming days, you will continue to see my team in the area as they conduct further enquiries and offer reassurance.

"If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to speak to them.

“I’d also like to appeal to the community or anyone who has been in the area over the last few days and weeks.

"Have you seen any suspicious activity?

"Or perhaps identified an individual who has been frequenting the park with this distinctive blue bag.

"If so, please come forward.

"No matter how small the information may seem, it could be crucial to the investigation.”

If you have any information about this firearm or would like to report suspicious activity in the area over the last few days, please call police on 101 quoting log 2653 of 04/05.25.

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