Gunman fires at house with three kids inside

Neighbours have spoken of their shock and fear after a suspected shotgun was fired at a house in Haslingden while a woman and her three children were inside.

Police were called at around 1.20am on Sunday after a man returned home to find the front door and windows of his house on Beaconsfield Street damaged.

Officers attended and believe the damage was caused by the discharge of a shotgun.

Police said a woman and her three young children were inside the address at the time but thankfully no-one was hurt. An investigation is underway and extra uniform patrols remain in the area to offer reassurance to the local community.

A man, 30, from Edenfield, was arrested on Sunday evening on suspicion of threats to kill, criminal damage, assault and firearms offences.He has since been released on police bail.

Residents and businessmen on the street said they have been left terrified and shocked by the incident.

Motosir Ali said: “I was coming back from work and saw all the police.“I’m worried of course because a shooting like this has made everybody scared.

“People said they heard shots from their houses. There were a few police vans blocking the road when I arrived back home.

“I don’t know why this has happened. I know the people who live in the house and they are a nice family.”

Angelo Corse, who has lived in the area for 40 years and runs Angelo unisex hairdressers on Beaconsfield Street, said: “I heard two shots. It sounded like a shotgun.

“I’ve been here a long time and never known anything like this. It’s very unusual.

“Everybody is shocked and surprised.”

Shajidur Rahman, 37, who has lived on the street for five years with his family, said he heard ‘loud sounds’ from his house.

He said: “I had just finished work and had come home to make tea and heard two loud sounds.

“My wife asked me what happened. I looked out of the window and couldn’t see anything.

“I know the people who live there and they are scared by what’s happened.“I’ve been scared too and I haven’t told my daughter what happened.”