Two men have been arrested after officers raided the premises of a recently-closed nursery and discovered a firearm and ammunition. Police, acting on information, descended on the former Mini Fingers Day Nursery building on Liverpool Road in Irlam, Salford, on Wednesday evening (October 7).
The nursery had been forced to close earlier this week following the discovery of a rat infestation, which is unconnected to the police investigation. Upon entering, officers conducted a thorough search and found a firearm along with a 'substantial quantity' of ammunition. Two men were detained following the find.
Suspects in Custody
The two suspects, one in his 50s and another in his 30s, were both detained on suspicion of conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs, namely cocaine and cannabis. Both have been taken to police custody for questioning, reports the Manchester Evening News.
On Thursday, officers were photographed transporting what looked to be the sizeable firearm in a transparent evidence bag. They moved the weapon from outside the former nursery premises into a police vehicle.
Numerous police vehicles, including a Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) van and Tactical Aid Unit (TAU) vans, remained stationed outside the premises throughout the day. A police vehicle marked 'Animals in Transit' also made a brief appearance at the location. Officers were observed putting up white sheets across the property's windows. The police scene remains in place as of Thursday afternoon.
Police Disrupting 'Serious Organised Crime'
Detective Inspector Rich McCorry, from GMP's Serious Organised Crime Group, said: "This operation demonstrates our continued commitment to disrupting serious organised crime and removing dangerous weapons from our streets. Acting on intelligence, officers executed a warrant at a business premises in Irlam, where a firearm and a substantial quantity of ammunition were recovered."
"The seizure of any firearm is significant it prevents the weapon from falling into the wrong hands, and we have potentially prevented a serious incident occurring recovering this gun. I would like to thank officers from our Tactical Aid Unit and Tactical Vehicle Intercept Unit for their support during this operation."
"We will continue to target those involved in organised criminality and pursue anyone seeking to profit from the supply of illegal drugs or the possession of firearms."
Nursery Closure and Rat Infestation
The nursery at the heart of the police operation was forced to close earlier this week following the discovery of a rat infestation. Mini Fingers was served with a prohibition order by Salford Council's environmental health department on Friday, October 2, after inspectors found vermin in the premises on Liverpool Road.
Parents received an email on Monday, October 5, informing them the nursery would be shutting permanently, stating that 'due to the recent events and the business struggling', the owner 'does not see a way forward without the business being extremely out of pocket'. The manager said she was 'devastated' by the closure.
The email explained: "Unfortunately following further investigation, we have found that we have a collapsed drain underneath the baby room. After a complete survey, we have discovered that because of this, we have had vermin which have managed to burrow their way into the main building."
According to Salford Council, the nursery gave up its Ofsted registration earlier this week. Ofsted has been approached for confirmation. The nursery's website and Facebook page appear to have been removed. Parents have expressed their 'disappointment and disgust' with some voicing worries the nursery had been aware of the infestation 'for some time' prior to the closure order. The nursery manager has been approached for comment.
The local authority's children's services department has been supporting parents and children impacted by the closure to secure alternative childcare arrangements. A council spokesperson said: "Environmental Health and Children's Services officers took proactive and decisive action, issuing a prohibition order after we were alerted to an environmental issue at the nursery."
"This will be a stressful and unsettling time for parents and carers. However, our officers are working with families to help them find alternative childcare provision in the community."
