Youths 'shooting ducks in park' (From Messenger Newspapers)

Youths 'shooting ducks in park'

1:31pm Wednesday 30th April 2008

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TWO children were distraught to see three youths armed with two air rifles carrying a dead duck through the Sale park they were playing in.

Danielle Galvin and Ash Patel, both aged 12, were at Woodheys Park when they saw the three youths holding the bird by its feet.

Danielle's mother Wendy, whose house backs on to the park, explained how her daughter returned home devastated on the evening of April 7. She said: "She can not get that image out of her head and was extremely distressed. I called the police to report it.

"I can't believe this is going on where children are playing. What if a pellet went in a child's eye? It's only a matter of time before someone is injured."

This is just one of a string of shootings in the vicinity of the park. In early March Wendy's neighbour, Carol Howard, was woken at around 2am by loud noises. Wendy added: "Carol looked out of her window and saw a group of youths with dead ducks and birds over their shoulders shooting at anything that moved in the woods."

Most recently, on April 23, Wendy heard a shot and found a pellet imbedded in her back window.

Neighbourhood inspector Simon Wright, said: "The thoroughfare through Woodheys Park has attracted young people who congregate there, which is a cause for concern.

"The incident was reported and enquiries are being made."

Wendy said: "The area needs to be gated. It was fenced off around 18 months ago but then it was taken away."

If anyone has any information about any of the incidents call Atrincham Neighbourhood Policing Team on 0161 856 7527 or 0161 856 7530.

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