Sawn-off shotgun discovered during police search at Oldham Edge

Image courtesy of GMP

Earlier this morning (Wednesday), Greater Manchester Police officers from Operation Vulcan discovered and seized a firearm following a search of an area of woodland in Oldham.

Acting on intelligence gathered from within the community, officers conducted a sweep of the woodland – located on Oldham Edge, at the top of Henshaw Street, in the St Mary’s area of the town.

During this search, a firearm was recovered – namely a sawn-off shotgun with 11 cartridges of ammunition. 

The weapon has been safely and forensically recovered, and will be sent for further expert analysis in due course.

The work in Derker follows on from previous Vulcan initiatives in Cheetham Hill and Piccadilly Gardens, and has already seen dozens of arrests, hundreds of stop-searches, and countless disruption activities conducted in the months since it launched.

Detective Inspector Lee Newburn, from GMP’s Vulcan team, said: “This successful find has meant a deadly weapon is off the streets of Oldham and is a further example of the work the Vulcan team is doing in keeping Derker and the wider community safe.

“We have already taken countless weapons off the streets and will continue to do this, while pursuing those who are responsible and bringing them to justice.

“Officers will continue to tirelessly work with local partners and to ensure we carry out operations which smash criminals and the illegal activity they take part in.”

If you have any information about firearms, or other criminality in Derker and Oldham, police encourage you to report it to them, so officers can investigate and pursue offenders who are causing serious harm to your community.

Information can be shared by calling 101, or by using the Live Chat function on the GMP website. 

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

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