Second arrest after firearm discharge in city

We have arrested another man this morning (Monday 9 September) in connection with a firearm discharge in Stoke-on-Trent.

It happened at 3.35pm on Tuesday (3 September) when someone reported hearing a number of loud bangs near Winchester Avenue in Bentilee.

No-one was injured.

Specialist search teams, forensic experts and detectives have been progressing the investigation and reviewing footage from the area at the time. A number of addresses have been searched by armed police across the city since it happened, leading to the arrest of a man from Stoke-on-Trent on Thursday (5 September).

After being questioned in custody, the man was released on conditional police bail while enquiries continue.

Today, we arrested another man, aged 30, from Stoke-on-Trent, on suspicion of attempted murder.

He will be questioned in custody.

Chief Superintendent Elliott Sharrard-Williams, who oversees policing in the city, said: “I can assure local communities that we will take robust and decisive action against those who think they can get away with using firearms in Staffordshire.

“A team of skilled detectives are working tirelessly to review the evidence we have to act against those responsible and to continue working proactively to take dangerous weapons off our streets.”

If you’ve got any information that can help us with the investigation, call 101, quoting incident 420 of 3 September, or use Live Chat on our website.

To report anonymously, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.