Following reports of a number of men with guns racing around parts of Enderby, armed police were deployed at the scene.
Locals took to social media Sunday evening to air their concerns at what is just the latest incident of its type in recent times.
During the course of the incident a police vehicle was badly damaged and a silver coloured 4×4 vehicle was reported to be ‘on its side’.
Blaby Road was closed by police as they responded to the incident and began investigations.
On Monday there was an update when Detective Inspector Mark Parish told the Leicester Mercury “This is a very serious incident and we continue to carry out inquiries at the scenes to establish the full circumstances.
“Two men have been injured as a result of the incident with one of the men suffering serious injuries.
“We acknowledge that residents in the area will be extremely concerned, as we are.
“We have officers in the area carrying out inquiries, providing advice and offering reassurance.
“Investigations are continuing after two men were injured following reports of gunshots in Enderby yesterday evening (Sunday).”
An official updated police statement on the incident was published on the force website. The report read:
“Police received a number of reports at around 7.45pm of vehicles racing in the area of Blaby Road and Ashton Drive. It was reported that a number of men in some of the vehicles were in possession of guns.
In the interests of public and officer safety, armed officers were deployed to the scene.
Two men were subsequently located and believed to have been injured in the incident. One, aged in his 50s, has suffered a serious gunshot injury. The injury is not believed to be life-threatening. The injuries of the second man, who is in his 20s, are not believed to be life-threatening or life-changing. Both men currently remain in hospital.
Significant enquiries have been carried out overnight to establish the wider circumstances. A silver Mitsubishi vehicle has been recovered in the area of Ashton Drive. Damage had been caused to the vehicle which is believed to have been caused by the use of a firearm.
Initial reports also described three other vehicles in the area. They were two dark-coloured BMW vehicles and a silver Audi vehicle.
A number of cordons have been placed in the area. This includes in Blaby Road and officers remain in the area this morning gathering information, carrying out enquiries and offering reassurance to residents.
Detective Inspector Mark Parish said: “This is a very serious incident and we continue to carry out enquiries at the scenes to establish the full circumstances. Two men have been injured as a result of the incident with one of the men suffering serious injuries.
“We acknowledge that residents in the area will be extremely concerned, as we are. We have officers in the area carrying out enquiries, providing advice and offering reassurance. Please be assured we are treating this incident very seriously and remain determined to find out the full facts of what has happened and regarding those who are responsible.
“We have received a number of reports in relation to this incident and I thank those that have helped us with our enquiries so far for your help, patience and co-operation. If you have any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, I urge you to get in touch with us.”
Anyone with any information should contact 101 quoting incident 685 of 16 February.”
Administrators of local social media sites were urging people not to speculate about the incident or those responsible and allow the police to progress their investigation.
Local M.P. Alberto Costa wrote on his Facebook page:
“I very much share the serious concerns of constituents alarmed and upset at the terrible incident which took place in Enderby yesterday evening.
As a matter of urgency, I have today spoken with the Deputy Chief Constable of Leicestershire Police to receive a full update on yesterday’s events and subsequent actions – residents will appreciate that this is an active operational matter for the Police and that their inquiries are still ongoing at present.
The safety of my constituents is always of paramount importance, and I have been assured that the Police are doing all they can to investigate this matter thoroughly and apprehend those responsible as soon as possible.
Clearly, there are wider questions concerning how gypsy/traveller communities integrate with local communities, not just here in South Leicestershire but across the country – and so I will very soon be arranging to meet with all responsible authorities to discuss this matter in further detail and to find out if there are any changes to the law that can be pursued in the House of Commons.
I will continue to work closely with the relevant authorities and the local community to ensure that constituents can live in peace without fearing for their safety.”
Make the P.C.C. aware of your concerns…
Lord Willy Bach, Police and Crime Commissioner for Leicestershire has a “» What Matters to You” page on the P.C.C. website where members of the public are invited “….to ask questions, around policing and community issues, to the Police and Crime Commissioner Lord Willy Bach and Chief Constable Simon Cole.”
» Office of the Leicestershire Police & Crime Commissioner
» View Leicestershire Constabulary website
» View Alberto Costa’s Facebook page