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Sword and gun attacks linked, say police

Alice McKeegan
26/ 4/2008

POLICE are investigating the link between two violent attacks in Rochdale.

Officers confirmed to the Observer on Thursday that an horrific gang attack in Littleborough, in which a man nearly lost an arm, was related to the shooting of a second man in Belfield the day after.

Neither of the victims have been named by the police.

In the first incident, a 42-year-old man was savagely attacked outside the Littleborough Conservative Club in Peel Street on Sunday night by a gang of four or five masked men wielding machetes and Samurai swords.

His injuries were so serious that his left arm was almost completely severed. He also sustained wounds to a leg, wrist and his back.

The hooded attackers raced away from the scene in a green Lexus.

The following afternoon a 24-year-old man was then gunned down in broad daylight on the Belfield estate.

The victim was threatened by three men with a knife as they tried to march him along the street. He managed to break free and ran off along Farm Walk, but as he did so one of the men shouted ‘shoot him’.

He was hit twice in the back, legs and buttocks, suffering 20 gunshot wounds, before the suspects sped off in a blue Subaru.

Detective Inspector Daryl Chadwick said that investigations into both incidents were continuing and officers were making house-to-house inquiries, as well as studying CCTV footage.

DI Chadwick urged witnesses to come forward and said the information would be vital in solving the cases.

He said: "We believe both attacks were linked, but at this stage we do not want to speculative about possible motives.

"We are doing everything we can to apprehend these dangerous offenders and bring them to justice. Both incidents were shocking, but fortunately the injuries were not life threatening."

He stressed that both attacks were extremely rare and extra patrols will be operating in the area.

At the time of going to press, no arrests had been made.

One lady, who who asked not to be named, was in her garden at the time of Monday's shooting.

She said: "We heard the gunshots, saw the car speeding off and I took everyone inside.

"It is a bit close to home. It's scary to think something like this can happen on your own doorstep.

"Everyone is talking about it because its is so scary to think this could happen in broad daylight here."

Another resident said: "I have lived here since I was six years old.

"We have a lot of trouble with stolen cars and people being arrested, but never anything as serious as this.

"But I suppose that is what can happen if you get on the wrong side of the wrong people."

The 24-year-old who was shot was discharged from the Royal Oldham Hospital, but the 42-year-old is still being treated for his injuries and was said to be making a ‘good recovery’.

The first man involved in the shooting was described as white, about 6ft 2 ins, slim and in his late 20s or mid 30s.

He had short brown hair and was wearing a waist-length Puffa-style jacket and sunglasses.

The second man was also white, about 5ft 8ins, of medium build, also in his late 20s or mid 30s.

He had longish light brown or ginger hair coming over the side of his face and was wearing a long dark navy blue woollen coat.

The third man was white, about 5ft 7ins tall, of normal build and in his late 20s or mid 30s, with short brown hair with a centre parting, wearing a white t-shirt.

Anyone with information is urged to call Rochdale CID on 0161 856 4644 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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