POLICE are continuing to investigate reports of shots being fired by balaclava-wearing passengers from one vehicle at another in a busy County Durham village in broad daylight.
Two people were arrested after police received reports of the incident shortly after 2pm on Tuesday, May 27.
Witnesses said shots had been fired from an estate car at a white van near to the old Post Office, in the Oakley Green area of West Auckland, near Bishop Auckland.
The estate car is described as being dark blue or black, and the van is believed to have been a Ford Transit, which will have damage to one of its side panels following the incident.
After the shots were heard both vehicles headed off towards the centre of West Auckland. No injuries have been reported.
Residents living nearby reported hearing something happening in what is a busy area of the village.
One resident, who asked not to be named, said: “I heard what sounded like a shot, but by the time I looked out the window I couldn’t see anything.
Another added: “I heard something but I don’t know what it is. I looked out but it was all over very quickly.”
Detective Sergeant Graham Low, of the Durham Police’s serious crime team, said: “We received a number of reports that shots had been fired from a dark-coloured estate car in the direction of the white van and also that at one point the white van was spotted in pursuit of the estate car.
“The people travelling in the estate car are reported to have been wearing balaclavas.
“We are keen to speak to the people who were travelling in the white van and would urge them to get in touch with us.
"We would also ask anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information that could help with our enquiries to contact us.”
A 20-year-old local man was arrested on Wednesday, May 28, on suspicion of a firearms offence and a 19-year-old woman, also local, has been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. They have both been bailed pending further enquiries.
Witnesses should call Durham Police on the non-emergency number 101 or alternatively via Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555-111.
http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/local/southdurham/bishopauckland/11244473.Investigation_launched_after_shots_fired_in_West_Auckland/?ref=rss
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