Manhunt as police appeal to trace man wanted in connection with Grangetown firearms incidents

Police have appealed to trace a man wanted in connection with two firearms offences.

Cleveland Police detectives investigating recent firearms offences in the Grangetown area on Easter Monday (April 1) and in the early hours of Saturday morning (April 6) have appealed to the community and offered reassurance as the investigation continues. Armed police officers have been seen in the Eston and Grangetown area on multiple occasions since the first incident on Easter Monday.

Police are asking for the public’s help in appealing to trace 21-year-old Liam McElvaney from the Grangetown area who is also wanted in connection with the incidents. A continued police presence from Cleveland Police remains in the area to reassure residents in the local community and a dedicated team of officers is working to identify and bring to justice those responsible.

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Eight people were arrested last Thursday evening, April 4, 2024, and a further three on Saturday, April 6. Further to those arrests, a 14-year-old boy was arrested on Sunday, April 7, and a 29-year-old woman was also arrested today (Monday, April 8 ). So far, thirteen arrests have been made in connection with the incidents and enquiries are continuing.

Police officers were called to Richmond Court, in Grangetown, at around 3.35am on Bank Holiday Monday following a reported firearms incident. A man was taken to hospital with injuries believed to have been caused by a firearm, the force confirmed. His injuries are not deemed to be life-threatening.

In a second firearms incident on Wilton Way in the early hours of Saturday morning, a 20-year-old man sustained minor injuries and did not require hospital treatment. When Teesside Live visited the scene, a Matrix police van was stationed at the Nisa petrol station and it is understood a second was also parked at the scene earlier on Saturday afternoon.

One resident told Teesside Live: "Apparently the incident happened opposite the station. Police have been sitting in vans all day it just looks like they're watching. There's so much trouble here at the minute - people don't feel safe. The Matrix van has been here all day and there was a second normal police van which left around 4.15pm."

Cleveland Police’s Local Policing Commander for Redcar and Cleveland, Superintendent Emily Harrison, said: “We know that people in our local community will be concerned by these incidents and at the thought that some people living around them may have access to firearms. We believe these are targeted attacks, but understand the concerns of the local community in feeling safe when these incidents are occurring around them.

“Those who behave in this manner and think it’s OK to possess weapons can expect to have the full force of the law thrown at them. We won’t tolerate it, and you will be brought to justice. We have officers working to thoroughly investigate these incidents, and there will be a continued police presence in the area over the coming days as we look to reassure those living in the local community.”

Anyone with information on Liam McElvaney’s whereabouts is asked to call 101. Alternatively, you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org. Always call 999 in an emergency.

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