Armed police swarm UK town after man shot for ‘driving at officers’ | UK | News
There were chaotic scenes on Friday afternoon as armed police descended on the area, shutting down a major road and bringing traffic to a halt on Bury New Road.
Earlier the same day, a man was shot by an armed police officer after allegedly ‘failing to stop and driving directly towards police’.
At around 3pm on Friday, May 22, officers attempted to stop the vehicle on Bury New Road. According to police, the car refused to stop and ‘driven directly into officers’ in an attempt to escape.
It was stated that the driver’s injury to his arm was not life-threatening. No police officers were injured during the incident.
Police confirmed the arrest of a 20-year-old white British man on suspicion of being involved in the supply of Class A drugs.
The incident is not thought to be linked to terrorism and is “unrelated” to the anniversary of the Manchester Arena bombing. It is understood the initial reason for trying to stop the vehicle was ‘unrelated to the local area’. GMP referred him to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) in accordance with standard procedure.
A local resident at the scene reported hearing two gunshots moments before the air ambulance landed in nearby Victoria Park. Photos and images taken from the location show Tactical Assistance Units and Crime Scene Investigation Teams examining the area. A car with its rear window shattered and debris strewn on the ground was visible inside a cordoned-off section.
The road remained closed between Barn Street and junction 17 of the M60 at 11pm on Friday, according to traffic monitoring website Inrix.
Detective Superintendent Joe Harrop, of GMP’s Serious Crime Section, said: “We know people in the area will be concerned about what is happening and the visible increase in police officers in the local area as our investigations continue.
“Thankfully no members of the public or officers were harmed in this afternoon’s incident and we thank people for their patience while we remained at the scene.
“If anyone has any concerns please speak to our officers in the local area – they are there to listen and assist where possible.”
