Two men have been arrested on suspicion of firearms offences after officers uncovered a large cache of weapons at a house in Walkden.
At around 4pm on Thursday, bomb disposal officers were called to Sportside Avenue when a ‘suspicious package’ was found in a search of the property.
It’s been revealed a device of unknown origin was taken to a nearby field and detonated in a controlled explosion.
Local residents reported hearing “a very loud bang” at around 4.30pm.
Police had been on scene since the morning.
The package was discovered after GMP’s anti-gang unit Operation Gulf carried out a planned raid by at 7.50am on Thursday.
Teams investigating a spate of shootings in Little Hulton executed a warrant on the address.
Crime Scene Investigation were then dispatched after officers found what police say is “a large number of different weapons”.
Police ballistics experts are now studying the guns, a spokesperson for the force said.
Officers remained at the scene until late Thursday evening, residents said.
There is no ongoing or increased threat to public safety, said police.
A 24-year-old man and a 53-year-old man were arrested at the scene.
As of 10.30pm on Thursday both remained in custody for questioning on suspicion of firearms offences.
An ongoing feud between two rival families in Little Hulton has led to a worrying escalation in gang violence in the past 18 months.
Read: Warring families behind Salford and Bolton street shootings
Earlier this month a 21-year-old man was arrested, then bailed, on suspicion of attempted murder after a 33-year-old man was shot in the chest in the front garden of a house in Little Hulton.
Read: Armed police raid house in wake of Mill Hill shooting
Anti-gang investigations are ongoing after 10 shootings in the area since December 2014.
Speaking after the 4 June shooting Detective Inspector Clare Devlin, of GMP’s Salford borough, said teams were investigating a rapid increase in gang violence stemming from a dispute between two warring families.
In a statement a spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: “Shortly before 8am on Thursday 23 June officers from Operation Gulf executed a warrant at an address as part of ongoing enforcement work with neighbourhood teams tackling recent shootings in the area.
“A large number of different firearms were recovered. They are currently being examined by Greater Manchester Police firearms experts.
“Specialist officers also attended to examine a suspicious package and carried out a controlled explosion.
“A 54-year old and 24 year old man have been arrested on suspicion of firearms offences and remain in custody for questioning.”
Enquiries will continue in connection with the investigation but there is not expected to be an increased on-street prescence in Walkden.
Anyone with any information can contact Greater Manchester Police on 0161 856 9403 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
