'It'll end in murder': Residents worry as estate erupts in violence again

Violence erupted on an estate last night which residents say has been plagued by trouble over a number of years. Three linked incidents took place from just after midnight this morning (April 23) in the Beech Hill area of Wigan, in which seven people have been arrested so far with a firearm seized.

Residents of Wellfield Road were awoken to a fight where shouting could be heard including "I'll petrol bomb your house" which worked its way along to the road according to witnesses. Children could be seen playing on the same street today.

Detectives and Tactical Aid Unit (TAU) officers were carrying out evidence and investigating one house in a cul-de-sac at the end of Wellfield Road off Acacia Crescent where it is understood this fight culminated. Just over an hour later, 1.30am according to police, four men broke into a home on nearby Laburnum Grove and assaulted people inside in what police described as an 'aggravated burglary'.

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The Manchester Evening News understands the men were armed with a machete, a hammer, and a pool cue, and left two men with significant injuries. Police say these injuries are not life-threatening.

Residents say at least a dozen police cars could be seen in the area throughout the night with section 60 stop and search powers put in place after the initial fight. Around 9am police say they attended a 'domestic matter' on Wellfield Road and found a 'number of people,' with one running away and throwing a white bag into a bush on Acacia Crescent which contained a 'viable firearm'.

Seven people, men and women, between the ages of 22 to 48 have since been arrested all of which remain in police custody at the time of writing, with