BREAKING: Three guns found wrapped in bags and buried next to tree

Three guns were found wrapped in bags and buried next to a tree in Middleton.

Officers in Rochdale's Challenger Organised Crime Unit received intelligence about the firearms over the past week, police said. Yesterday (Tuesday), specialist and Tactical Aid Unit officers cordoned off a footpath that runs between Stott Lane and Hopwood Road.

They uncovered the three firearms buried in the ground next to a tree. Police said the guns, found wrapped in black bin bags, were two pistols and a Glock 19.

READ MORE: Join the FREE Manchester Evening News WhatsApp community

The weapons have been recovered. They will now be forensically examined.

Detective Inspector Stuart Round said: “This was an intelligence led recovery of three firearms suspected of belonging to criminal networks who are associated with serious and organised crime.

“These are dangerous weapons, often used to threaten and cause serious risk and harm to people living within our community and their recovery is a great example of how we are acting on information that is provided to us and further protecting the public that we serve.”

If you have information, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or contact GMP via 101. Always dial 999 in an emergency.

READ NEXT: