Drug feuds are leading to more shootings as two men injured, one seriously, in last six months

Several firearms incidents have happened in the last six months across the Cleveland Police force area and despite them not being directly linked senior detectives say drug feuds are at the heart of the problem.

So far, only one person has suffered serious injuries but the fear is that the growing use of firearms will result in somebody suffering fatal gunshot injuries.

Detective Superintendent Helen Barker, who is heading up force’s response to the growing problem, believes the key to stopping further incidents is information from the public to help get the weapon off the streets.

• Read more: Rival drug gangs bringing guns to the streets of the North East

She said: “We are recovering more firearms than ever before, which is positive because it means we are taking those weapons off the street, in very few cases those weapons have been discharged.

“Effectively we are taking them off the streets before they are being fired but the last six months would suggest that the weapons that are out there are being discharged more regularly.

“Fortunately, with only one person getting hurt but one person it one to many.”

Det Supt Helen Barker

In May, a man suffered gunshot wounds when he was blasted to the face and body by a moped-riding gunman.

Four men were arrested in connection with the suspected attempted murder after the armed Bank Holiday Monday incident on Arrandale in Hemlington, Middlesbrough.

However, they were all released without charge and the investigation continues.

Another of the incidents involved a 'shoot-out' between men in broad daylight.

Leon Parkinson was caught on CCTV firing a homemade 'slam-gun' at a house on Maria Street, North Ormesby, before the Carl Eland chased him down the street brandishing an air pistol in June this year.

A man has been charged with murder following the death of Mr Eland two months after the firearms incident.

Carl Eland

A further two incidents occurred at when gunmen opened fire on a house on Ainstable Road, Ormesby, two nights running.

On the second occasion someone in the house suffered a pellet injury to his arm in July.

Police are looking for a man wearing a dark coloured Nike Air hoody with grey sleeves and black tracksuit bottoms in relation to the first incident however he was wearing a balaclava with a surgical mask over this. Two males in dark clothing were seen at the second incident.

In April, a window was shattered when a weapon was fired at a property on Crescent Street, at the junction of Laycock Street in the Newport area. No one was injured that night.

A property on Laycock Street, Middlesbrough, was targeted in April

Det Supt Barker added: “I would appeal for information and reiterate that people can give it anonymously. I know that sometimes people are either fearful or don’t want to be called a ‘grass’ but you could save somebody’s live and we would just urge them to come forward with any information.”

• Anyone with information about any of the incidents is urged to call police on 101.

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