Police issue update after 'targeted suspected shooting' near Stretford Mall

Three teenagers who were arrested after a 'suspected targeted shooting' near Stretford Mall have been released on bail, police have confirmed.

Armed police were scrambled to the scene after reports of a 'suspected firearms discharge' on Edge Lane in Stretford at around 4.40pm on Tuesday (March 26). Residents watched on as specialist officers blocked off their street, combing it for evidence, while police were also seen surrounding Stretford Mall.

Three males - two aged 19 and one aged 17 - were arrested on suspicion of affray, possession of drugs and possession of a bladed article, Greater Manchester Police said previously. They were taken into custody for questioning.

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In an update issued this morning, a force spokesperson said all three males had been bailed pending further enquiries. Police previously said the incident was believed to be 'targeted' with 'no threat to the wider community'.

Asif Shah, 55, who lives on Edge Lane, said it was a 'shock' to see armed police on his road after the suspected shooting. He said: "I saw the police had barricaded all the road.

"But they wouldn’t tell us anything. They were walking up and down the roads shining their torches, they were definitely looking for something. But it makes sense now. It’s a big shock to hear what’s happened.

"It’s quite lucky really as well, we went to do some shopping and went by car. But we were going to go by foot to one near the mall and would have been walking past on that side of the road at exactly that time.

"It’s shocking. I’ve never encountered anything like this before. A stabbing yes but not that close to us, and definitely not a shooting. So it is worrying."