Two injured after at least 19 catapult “shooting” incidents leave trail of damage across Warrington

UPDATED: TWO men have been arrested following reports of at least 19 “shooting” incidents across Warrington, involving ball bearings being fired from a catapult, causing criminal damage and injuring an 11-year-old boy and 42-year-old man.

Following the reports yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon, police quickly located a white van in Newton-le-Willows and arrested two men aged 22 and 32.

A Cheshire Police spokesperson said: “On the afternoon of Tuesday 23 March police received up to 15 reports of criminal damage to the windows of cars and houses in the areas of Poplars and Hulme and Penketh and two people, an 11-year-old boy and a 42-year-old man, were also hit and received minor injuries.
“The damage and injuries are believed to have been caused by ball bearings fired from a catapult.
“Police quickly located and stopped a white van in Newton-le-willows and arrested two men, aged 22 and 32, on suspicion of assault and criminal damage.
“They were taken into custody to be questioned and have since been released under investigation while enquires continue.
“Anyone who has suffered any injuries or whose property has been damaged is encouraged to contact officers on 101.”
Sergeant Lee Hillyard, from Warrington Local Policing Unit, added: “Understandably this has been an alarming and quite frightening incident for the local community and the public can expect to see officers out on patrol in order to provide reassurance.
“I want to reassure the public that we quickly located and arrested two men and are continuing to work incredibly hard to gather evidence as part of this ongoing investigation.
“As part of our enquiries I am appealing to anyone who has CCTV or dashcam footage which could assist us to please get in touch.
“At this stage, we have received 19 reports of criminal damage and two reports of people sustaining injuries however we believe there could be more victims and encouraging people to come forward.”
If you can help please call Cheshire Police on 101 quoting IML 945517.
Similar incidents have been reported in the Winwick area on a local facebook group.

One resident posted: “An alert for everyone in Winwick, particularly if you live on Myddleton Lane. Someone was apparently going along the road yesterday, shooting at people’s front windows and cars. I’ve just had a visit from a woman who had her front window smashed at 3.00 pm yesterday. We looked at my neighbour’s front window and there are two “bullet holes” clean through his double glazed windows. Apparently there are three more houses and several cars she has seen with similar damage. I’ve told her to ring the police. If anyone has experienced anything similar could you let me know? Also, worth checking for damage to cars etc.”