Wigan PCSO's threatened with gun

PCSO's endure threat in Wigan

Published 18th Nov 2015

Two PCSOS have been threatened by a man with a gun as they went to intervene in an attack in Wigan.

The incident happened shortly after 10pm on Thursday 12 November 2015, as two PCSOs were talking to two members of the public on Gidlow Lane, Wigan.

The two community support officers then saw a man being assaulted further up the road by another man.

As they ran towards the assault, shouting for the attacker to stop, the man pointed a hand gun at the officers and threatened them, ordering them not to come any closer.

The man who was being assaulted got up from the floor and ran away from the scene.

The man with the gun then got into the rear passenger seat of a silver BMW and was driven away.

Police officers, including armed officers, attended the scene and searched the area.

A short time later, a 28 year-old man was arrested in relation to the incident. He has been bailed pending further enquiries.

The offender is described as white, of medium build, between 30 to 40 years old, around 5ft 9in to 5ft 10in tall, with dark hair. He was wearing all black and had a Liverpool accent.

Detective Constable Faye Johnson from GMP’s Wigan division said: “This is clearly a very worrying incident that local residents will be shocked to hear about. We are doing all we can to locate this man, who not only attacked another individual, but also threatened two PCSOs with a firearm.

“We are also looking to trace the victim that the two officers had gone to try to help as he ran away from the scene and could not be found afterwards. This man is not in any trouble but we just want to make sure that he is ok.

“In addition, police are trying to find the two individuals that the PCSOs had been speaking to on Gidlow Lane before they ran to this incident. They may have information that can assist our investigation and so I would ask them to please make contact with us.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact officers at Wigan police station on 0161 856 5307, or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.