A community clean-up in Salford took a dramatic turn when volunteers uncovered what appeared to be a loaded firearm, prompting an extensive police response.
A community litter pick in Salford turned into a scene of alarm this Saturday afternoon when a suspicious package was discovered, prompting a significant police response. Around 30 volunteers were participating in the clean-up, organised by community leader Brian Westley, at St Stephen’s Gardens when the incident occurred at approximately 12.30pm.
The group was working on Frederick Street, located just off Trinity Way and not far from Manchester city centre, when a member of the team came across the peculiar package. Initially mistaken for a heavy bottle, the volunteers were taken aback upon closer inspection, revealing what appeared to be a loaded firearm. This revelation led them to immediately contact law enforcement.
Thomas Westley, son of the event’s organiser, described the moment of discovery, stating, “We thought it was a heavy bottle but when we unwrapped it, we noticed a gun shape and called the police.” Following the report, a substantial number of police vehicles arrived on the scene, establishing a cordon around the area to secure the location. Thomas further noted that police informed them that the object was believed to be a revolver containing six bullets.
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed, “At around 12.20pm this afternoon (Saturday 15 March), we were called to reports of suspected weapons being found on Frederick Street in Salford. A scene remains in place whilst we make our enquiries. There is not thought to be a risk to the wider public at this time.” Forensic teams are currently investigating the scene following the alarming discovery.
As the police cordon remains in effect, community members are left processing the shock of the incident that transformed what was intended to be a simple neighbourhood clean-up into a situation necessitating a serious police operation. The investigation continues as authorities work to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the firearm’s presence in the area.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_Manchester_Police – This URL provides background information on Greater Manchester Police, which is involved in the investigation of the suspicious package found during a community litter pick in Salford.
- https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/ – This URL could potentially provide local news coverage of incidents in Manchester and surrounding areas, including Salford, though specific articles about the event might not be available without additional context.
- https://www.gmp.police.uk/ – This is the official website of Greater Manchester Police, where updates on ongoing investigations, including the one mentioned in the article, might be published.
- https://www.salford.gov.uk/community-and-living/community-groups/ – This URL provides information on community activities and groups in Salford, which could include details about community litter picks and similar events.
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/england/manchester – This URL offers local news coverage for Manchester and surrounding areas, potentially including reports on significant incidents like the discovery of a suspicious package in Salford.
- https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/salford-news/ – This URL provides specific news coverage for Salford, where the incident occurred, and could include articles or updates related to the event described.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The incident occurred recently, on Saturday, 15 March, indicating that the information is current. However, without specific details about the publication date, it’s difficult to assess if it’s a press release or a recent news report.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
Quotes from Thomas Westley and a GMP spokesperson are included, but without further online sources, it’s challenging to verify if these are original or have been previously reported.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The narrative originates from an unspecified source via Google News. While the content appears factual and aligns with typical news reporting, the lack of a specific publication name reduces certainty about its reliability.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The scenario described is plausible given the context of a community event and the involvement of law enforcement. However, without additional evidence or updates, some details remain unverified.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative appears to be recent and plausible, but its reliability is somewhat uncertain due to the lack of a specific publication source. Quotes are included but not verified against other sources. Further investigation is needed to confirm all details.