A PUB where there have been two shootings in the past two months has been closed down.
The Dog and Partridge in Bolton Road, Irlam o' th' Height, has been shut temporarily but police are seeking to have its licence revoked to keep it shut for good.
A 43-year-old man was shot in both legs outside pub on Saturday.
At Easter a 26-year-old man fled into the pub after being shot in the leg outside but was fired at again by a masked gunman. In that incident a 50-year-old woman customer was hit in the ankle by the second shot.
Yesterday police issued a closure order on the pub, which means the bar is shut temporarily.
On Wednesday the police will return to Salford magistrates to see if they can keep the pub closed until the next meeting of Salford Council's licensing panel which is scheduled for 3 June.
Not linked
Chief Supt Kevin Mulligan, head of Salford Police said: "We are confident that the two incidents are not linked. Both these incidents were shocking but serious violent crime in Salford is down by 23 per cent on the previous year. Firearms incidents are very few and far between. We are investigating thoroughly this latest incident."
He confirmed that police would be recommending that the pub should remain closed when its future is considered by councillors at the panel meeting.
Local councillor, Mary Ferrer, said: "Enough is enough. All local councillors will urge the panel to revoke the pub's licence. I accept that the current landlord has done everything asked of him by the police. However for what ever reason this pub seems to be attracting the wrong type.
"We have now had two shootings what else can you do other than shut it on the grounds of public safety. It is a hotspot for very serious violence.
"There have been other incidents there too in the recent past."
After the Easter shooting landlord, Mark King, stepped up security and doormen were brought in for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights.
Yesterday Mr King said: "I am very annoyed because I've put so much time and effort to build this place up from what it was. "It does us no favours at all. It happened outside the pub but it does put people off coming to the area."
Shooting
The latest shooting happened at 10pm. The victim is under guard in a Greater Manchester Hospital.
His condition is currently described as stable.
A mobile police station has been set up near the pub to allow anyone with any information to speak to officers.
Detective Inspector Howard Millington, of Salford CID, said: "This was a deliberate attack, which must have terrified those who were out last night enjoying a drink and it is fortunate that the victim was not more seriously injured.
"Let me reassure people that there will be increased patrols in the area and officers will be available at the mobile police station if anyone has any information.
"We are doing everything we can to try and track down those responsible for this attack, but we also need the public's help. Do you know who's done this? If you do, you must contact us.
"You may think you heard or saw something insignificant, but it might be important to our investigation.
"All calls will be treated in the strictest confidence."
Anyone with any information should call Salford CID on 0161 856 5361 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
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Showing comments 1 to 14 and replies | View All
Bejjy ex Salford now Malta, Malta (20/05/2008 at 08:38)
Stretford Born Blue, Brooklands (20/05/2008 at 09:04)
Eric Le God, Manchester (20/05/2008 at 09:17)
Local councillor, Mary Ferrer, said: "Enough is enough. All local councillors will urge the panel to revoke the pub's licence. I accept that the current landlord has done everything asked of him by the police. However for what ever reason this pub seems to be attracting the wrong type.
So dont back down people, but can the Police just monitor the height a bit more over the next coming weeks as the villans look to invade another pub, the welly and the hope are probably next!
Timberman, MANCHESTER (20/05/2008 at 09:21)
Jo14, Outer Mongolia (20/05/2008 at 09:44)
Why should this man lose his livelihood just because he happened to be the closest establishment to these two incidents?
jomov, Manchester (20/05/2008 at 09:53)
sls, Salford (20/05/2008 at 10:20)
The Karney & Leese Ego Show [formerly Scrotnig] (20/05/2008 at 10:38)
What a pity the police can't put as much effort into ridding the streets of the perpetrators instead of simply forcing pubs out of business (and, spare a thought for the staff who will lose their livelyhoods).
City of crime 2008!
Eric Le God, Manchester (20/05/2008 at 10:39)
I really sympathise with the fact that people are going to lose their jobs, but its the people going into this pub that are causing the problem, if they were not in there these shootings would never have happened.
The trouble from the brass handles just shifted to this pub, and they will shift again.
Closing the pub may not be the best answer or positive approach, but what do you expect when the Police forces hands are tied with red tape and abiding by the human rights act.
Its time the Law got tough on these thugs, so cases like this dont happen again.
Zachary Swan (20/05/2008 at 10:42)
We got our moneys worth when this lady got elected. What an excellent idea, shuting down a pub and the guns, gangs and the poverty and social issues which cause them vanish in an instant. Perhaps she could also suggest the police shut down all local shops - armed robbery in Salford will be wiped out in a stroke.
Good Cop Bad Cop, Salford (20/05/2008 at 10:44)
No other pub in the area employed door staff, which reflects that the problem is NOT the area, but the pub itself.
Until the police can support landlords much better as i'm guessing that this place has been over run and there is a fear factor, then more and more premises will crumble and fall as the trouble moves from pub to pub.
jomov, Manchester (20/05/2008 at 10:52)
So what, these yobs aren't going to frequent another pub?
Closing this pub is just moving the problem somewhere else.
The Karney & Leese Ego Show [formerly Scrotnig] (20/05/2008 at 12:02)
Brian Timmins (05/11/2008 at 17:41)
A sad day for Salford when this sort of thing happens.