Police swoop on local beauty spot after tip-off

Police have recovered a firearm after an early morning swoop on a local beauty spot. The weapon was found under a tree after police searched Dukes Drive in Monton, Eccles.

Detectives and forensic officers arrived at 7.30am today after acting on a tip-off. The Manchester Evening News understands the find comes as part of a wider on-going investigation.

Dukes Drive is next to the historic Bridgewater Canal. Situated in the centre of Monton, it leads to a car park used by walkers and cyclists. The road has no houses on it but is next to an area of woodland and greenery which is popular for picnics, and dog walking.

It is linked by cycle routes and footpaths to a loopline created on a former railway line which leads to Roe Green, Worsley, and Little Hulton.

In a statement, Greater Manchester Police said: "Police attended land off Dukes Drive in Salford this morning (Friday 7 February 2025) and attending officers recovered a firearm. The firearm was made safe at the scene and no arrests have been made as of yet.

"Through initial enquiries, we do not believe there to be a threat to the wider community. Investigations remain ongoing."

One local, who was out walking his dog at the location said today: "Police cars were all parked at the end of the car park and the edge of the woods.

"Police weren't stopping people from parking up and walking up the path to the left into Dukes Drive, which is where I walked, so it would suggest whatever they were looking at was in that spot between the car park and Folly Brook.

"They were standing in front of some bushes and trees which lead down to Folly Brook, and which are not on the main path. They looked like detectives because they were wearing suit trousers, and had blue police vests,