Police probe estate shooting

AT the scene . . . officers document evidence at the site of the shooting

RESIDENTS on an Oldham estate were left shocked after shots were fired in broad daylight as children returned home from school.

Police were called to Furness Avenue in Alt at 3.40pm yesterday and found evidence that a gun had been used but no-one had been injured.

Inquiries led them to a house on near by Bainburgh Clough where two men are believed to have entered.

Armed officers raided the houses but the men were not inside.

A 50-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of possession of Class A drugs and has been bailed.

Police checked local hospitals but no-one had been admitted with gun shot wounds. A spokeswoman said inquiries are continuing. Officers appeared to collect evidence from a garden at the junction of Apple Close and Furness Avenue.

Householders described hearing shots and claimed the incident was drug-related.

There were claims that it had been an attempted drive-by shooting.

Neighbours said police arrived moments later and the street was quickly cordoned off.

Crowds gathered around the police tape and people were told to stay away from their homes around Bainburgh Clough while officers carried out the search.

One local said: “I heard a bang like a tyre exploding. Someone said a bloke had been shot around the corner.

“It’s not what you want but what can you do? Sooner or later, you are going to expect it.

“I have been here for 25 years and it’s a good estate. There has never been an incident like this.”