Suspect shot by armed cop after ‘failing to stop and driving directly at police’

The driver of the car was taken to hospital for an injury to his arm which is not believed to be life threatening

A man has been shot by an armed police officer after ‘failing to stop and driving directly at police’, Greater Manchester Police have said

Police attempted to stop a vehicle on Bury New Road in Whitefield, Bury, at 3pm on Friday, May 22. The car failed to stop and ‘drove directly’ at officers in an attempt to get away, the force said.

In response, a shot was fired by a GMP firearms officer, a spokesperson for GMP has said.

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The driver of the car was taken to hospital for an injury to his arm, which has been described as neither life-threatening nor life changing. No police officers were injured in the incident.

Investigations are ongoing and a scene remains in place on Bury New Road.

The force said that a 20-year-old white British man has since been arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

The incident is not being treated as terror related and has ‘no relevance’ to the Manchester Arena bombing anniversary. It is understood the reason for initial attempts to stop the vehicle were ‘unrelated to the local area’. GMP has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) as per standard procedure.

Detective Superintendent Joe Harrop from GMP’s Serious Crime Division said: “We know people in the area will be concerned by what has happened and the visible increase in police officers in the local area as our investigations continue.

“Thankfully no members of the wider public, or officers were harmed in the incident this afternoon and we thank people for their patience while we remain at the scene.

“Should anyone have any concerns, please speak with our officers who are out in the local area, they are there to listen and assist where possible.”