Shortly after 11.30pm on Monday 26 May 2014, police were called to the Ashley Brook Pub on Liverpool Street following reports of a shooting. A short time later, a 49-year-old man was taken to Manchester Royal Infirmary. It is believed he was shot seven times and remains in hospital. Two men, wearing hooded tops and balaclavas, were seen going into the pub carrying firearms and then leaving down an alleyway in the direction of Knutsford Street. Six people have been arrested in total, two men aged 22, two women aged 47 and 23, a 16-year-old boy and 17-year-old girl. All were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder and have been bailed until 5 August 2014 pending further enquiries. Police are now eager to trace the drivers of a light coloured five door Honda Civic and a man on a bike who was seen riding alongside the car. Chief Superintendent Mary Doyle said: "A number of people have been arrested and released on bail. A team of detectives are continuing to work tirelessly on this case and identify who is responsible. We have released CCTV footage and we are now keen to trace this person and the people inside the car as they may have important information. "Understandably, the community will be concerned about the recent discharges across Salford. However, I would like to reassure them we are not linking them and they are isolated incidents. "Patrols are continuously walking the streets of those areas affected and if you have any concerns whatsoever, please feel free to speak to one of your local officers. "The number of firearms discharges in Salford have decreased year by year, however, one firearm discharge, even if no one is injured, is one too many for my liking and we are determined to stamp events such as this out. "There have been a number of success stories to come out of Project Gulf, an initiative set up to tackle organised crime. Since the launch back in 2011, 22 firearms, over seven million pounds worth of drugs and over £300,000 has been seized from the streets. On top of that, 240 people have been arrested for serious crimes. This highlights both the police and our partners' stance - we will not tolerate this in our city and the law will catch up with you eventually. "We are continuing to work with members of the community and have developed really good relationships in a number of different neighbourhoods. Like anything though, we can always improve and I would urge anyone who has any information about any of these crimes to contact police. The information you supply will be treated with the strictest of confidence but if you feel you do not want to speak to an officer face to face, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously." Salford City Mayor Ian Stewart said: "We are standing shoulder-to-shoulder alongside the police and community to help end gun crime in our city. "If members of the public have any information, no matter how small, please report it. It could be the final piece in the jigsaw and result in a conviction. "These criminals will not only face a long stretch in prison, they will face the whole range of council powers. "These shootings are isolated, unconnected incidents but the public can have confidence that we will take appropriate action to ensure the streets are safer." Anyone with information should phone police on 0161 856 2027 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

• published: 20 Jun 2014
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