Sale police inspector allays fears after shooting close to primary school (From Messenger Newspapers)

Sale police inspector allays fears after shooting close to primary school

8:00am Thursday 7th March 2013 in News By Kate Banks, Reporter

A SALE police inspector has spoken out to allay fears after a gun was fired close to a Sale primary school.

A gunman opened fire at a man sat in a VW car, missing the intended victim, but damaging the vehicle.

Insp, Laura Burgess, of Sale Neighbourhood Policing Team, spoke to Messenger after the shooting.

She said: “The police want to reassure the local community that this appears to be an isolated incident and the victim appears to have been targeted.

“We are seeking to gather more information as part of the investigation so please contact the Sale and Altrincham neighbourhood policing teams if you can assist in any way.”

The gun was fired just before 9.40pm on March 1, very close to St Mary’s Primary School, on St Mary’s Road.

A police helicopter was seen flying over the area in the aftermath of the incident and a police car has been seen stationed on the road since that time.

It is believed the intended victim was Ben Thompson, who was jailed for conspiracy to rob in 2010.

Thompson and three others were convicted for trying to ambush a van delivering money to a bank in Huddersfield.

He served two years of a four year sentence and was released in 2012.

Ward councillor, Brian Rigby MBE, said: “It’s disturbing to know that there has been a shooting incident of any description, I can’t remember a similar incident in the neighbourhood at all.

“I just hope the police quickly find the people responsible.”

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: “Just before 9.40pm on Friday 1 March 2013, police were called following reports of a firearms discharge in the St Mary’s Road area of Sale.

“Officers arrived and discovered a parked car had been damaged.

“No one was injured and inquiries are ongoing.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 7671 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.