Salford Shootings Spur Armed Police Patrols

Armed police are patrolling the streets of Salford in Greater Manchester after six shootings in less than a month were blamed on two warring crime gangs.

Police have been called to five incidents where shots were fired and a sixth report of gunfire since September 9.

No one has been injured but officers described the shootings as "reckless and dangerous" and called for them to stop.

It is understood two rival crime gangs have been locked in a dispute for the past month and have been firing at front doors, car windows and houses as "warning shots," a senior police source said.

Patrols in the area have been stepped up.

Chief Superintendent Kevin Mulligan told Sky News: "There is an ongoing dispute between two groups and they're using firearms to try and resolve that dispute.

"It's an extremely serious matter and we're doing everything we can to resolve the situation."

Two men have been arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm and are being questioned by police in Manchester.

"Somebody must have that piece of information or know who is doing this. No one has been injured but obviously we're taking it extremely seriously," said Mr Mulligan.

The shootings are not being connected to the murders of PC Nicola Hughes and her colleague PC Fiona Bone in Hattersley last week.