Families tell of shock after crossbow street brawl

Families have told of their shock after a violent disturbance broke out on their street with seven people arrested, fights broken up by police and a crossbow seized

Greater Manchester Police officers were called to Romney Street in Salford at about 21.30 BST, with a 54-year-old man arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon.

Six teenagers, aged 16-18, were also arrested on suspicion of affray after fighting was broken up by officers.

One woman, who was visiting her mother with her two children, said she was putting her daughter to bed when she heard screams and rushed to lock the doors.

"I was upstairs with my little girl, I heard screams and the police coming," she said.

"My mum saw a group and said there were loads of them.

"My little boy was screaming, my mum was scared, everyone in the house was scared. We locked all the doors and all the windows."

Another resident said there have been a few similar incidents on the road and residents know to keep their doors locked.

"I was coming back from Salford Shopping Precinct and I saw the helicopter above my head, it was so loud," he said.

"There's been a few different incidents on this road that made me a bit scared or worried. There's loads of lovely people who live here but there's just a lot of crime, I don't know what it is about this road.

"You see a lot of time, you'll be walking down the street and someone will have their windows bashed in.

"You keep yourself safe, you make sure your doors are locked, you don't walk around late at night."

Police issued a 24-hour dispersal order for Cheetham Street West, Littleton Road, Poppy Lane, Langley Road South and Lissadel Street.

"Our frontline officers' rapid response to a concerning report prevented what could have been a dangerous incident from occurring," Det Supt Simon Moyles said in a statement.

"There was a large group of youths gathering in the area, and officers intervened in fights and helped several young people return home safely. Thankfully, no one at the scene required medical treatment.

"Our investigation is moving at a pace. We have arrested seven people and taken a weapon off the streets while enquiries are ongoing."

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.