Armed police swooped on a factory after reports of gunshots – and found startled workers in the middle of a game of cricket.
The firearms cops, supported by the force helicopter, surrounded Power Star in Cheadle after reports that a gun had been fired five times. But when the shocked suspects emerged they were armed with nothing more than a cricket bat and a ball.
The workers at the sports equipment factory had been watching England play in the cricket World Cup and decided to recreate the match after finishing work. It is thought the ‘gunshot’ sound was made by the ball hitting a metal shutter.
Worker Mohammed Ijaz, 25, said: "We’d been watching the England match and finished work so thought we may as well play cricket. We were just messing around and could hear shouting saying ‘Come out! Come out!’.
"At first we carried on as we didn’t realise it was to do with us. But when we realised it was, we headed outside and as soon as we opened the door we could see lots of armed police. It was a bit of a shock but they were just doing their job."
Police say the report of gunshots at the factory on Demmings Road Industrial Estate was made by a passer-by in good faith.
Chief Superintendent Rebekah Sutcliffe said: "All reports of gunshots are taken very seriously and because of the potential threat to people’s lives we have to take swift and appropriate action to deal with these very serious risks.
"Specially-trained firearms officers are always deployed because they have the necessary skills to be able to deal with these threats safely and minimise risks to the public. As soon as it became apparent there was no threat, the officers quickly left the scene."
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Ha, ha, ha; brilliant. GMP's finest at their best.
yes, thats right, those in Cheadle are familiar with the sound of gunshot
Ah well. Glad it was 'over' quickly.
"The Man on the Clapham Ominibus, At the Terminus"
seems you need to re think your sense of humour since your the only one that seems to think your comment is funny, try being a little more grown up and you may be taken seriously. gmp where responding to a report from the public of gunshots from behind a metal shutter, no one could see what was going on inside so the response was justified.
now if the police had ignored the report and some one ended up shot then maybe your "tongue in cheek" comment would have been reasonable.
The police turned up in a Red Audi Quattro, shouting Ashes to Ashes?
I´m a safety officer, working for Bolton Council. I have almost 35 years experience.
They should have been arrested and charged - not for firearms offences - but with contravention of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, in which unhindered access to fire extinguishers and safety equipment should be ensured at all times. Viewing that photograph, I was shocked to my very core at the flagrant disregard for health and safety. As my colleague, Mr Keith Lard always asks, What does fire do ? It kills ! Woof, it all goes up in seconds!
The owner of these premises should also note that head and eye protection of the "wicket-keeper", and all fielding positions is mandatory should he allow his staff to engage in such irresponsible out-of-hours practices.
In all, a disaster waiting to happen, in my view.
Trevor Roughton MSc (OU)
Chief Safety Officer
Bet the police had a good laugh as well.
Hold on call the Health and Safety police, is that a fire exstinguisher blocked in behind a piece of timber?
It must be pretty scary responding to an incident like that,you certainly can not say that GMP Police have 'no balls'
Love the caption below the photo 'cricketers'; more like 'slackers'. Did the boss know what his 'cricketers' were up to?
Lucky this inident did not happen down south were a policy of shoot and ask questions later usually applies.
These must have been back foot shots then.
Oh blimey ''Trevor Roughton, Middleton'' Member of the PC brigade are we??? Why do people complain over everything? With everything in our country being cant do this, cant do that...surely a few blokes playing cricket after work isnt harming anyone????
Trevor Roughton, Middleton - This country has turned into an absolute shambles because of people like you. No one is allowed to have fun anymore. Yes accidents do happen but now its all made into a massive deal. This country needs to lighten up and start enjoying life, these lads were doing just that. Fair Play to them!
Trevor Roughton, Middleton - you sum up why this country is such a boring, restricted place. People like you stop the rest of the country having a good time as someone could hurt themselves! GET A GRIP. You need to lighten up.
Its just not cricket
These two should have been arrested for liking cricket. It is the only activity more boring than football.
I suspect they got even more runs when they opened to door to guns pointing at them...
Woof! Nice one Trevor! I think your post has identified sleeping members of the lefty brigade who really do like to have a moan at everything...Woof!
Trever Roughton Middleton MSc (OU) Chief Safety Officer, how about meeting up with a few other posters for a few pints to cheer us up, you sound like a good laugh. Oh don't forget to ask your college Mr Keith Lard if he would like to come "woof".haha.
Can't wait.
Seriously you made me laugh "Trevor".
I heard that the police would have been onsite five minutes earlier but had trouble finding a place to park.
All you phlebs on here criticising my earlier light hearted comment about this incident seem to have overlooked the fact that in all comments I have previously made about the actions of the police I am in the main supportive of what they do and give them praise for doing what they have done. Its not my problem that those of you who were critical of my comment are humourless and I suggest that you try to get out more and try to lighten up.
Seriously though, was there a batting or bowling power play at the time ?
This really made me smile at a time when so much depressing news is being reported...thanks!!
Is it too late to send them out to help England in the World Cup?