Don’t rush to judgment over ‘one-off’ shooting, community leader says
A community leader says people shouldn’t let a recent shooting distort their view of her neighbourhood.
A man in his 40s remains in hospital after a shooting in the Bentilee area[1], which saw him taken to hospital with serious injuries. However, they are not believed to be life-threatening.
Ward councillor, Cllr Sarah Jane Colcough told the LDRS there has been a mix of emotions among members of the community following the incident.
She said: “I live here, and it’s concerning that this has happened in the area.
READ: Man rushed to Royal Stoke with serious injuries amid reports of Bentilee ‘shooting’[2]
“It’s right by the nursery, so there could’ve been children witnessing it.”
She said she’s worried it will add to people’s negative perceptions of the area.
“What concerns me most is the stereotype of Bentilee[3] isn’t going to get any better, because 99.9% of the time everyone is safe.
“The cordon has gone, there’s no police presence on the estate and the street is back to normal. It’s an unusual incident, and it does seem like it’s a one-off.”
Armed police had descended on Dawlish Drive shortly before 4pm yesterday (30th August) and a cordon was put in place.
Officers maintained a uniformed presence on the estate to provide reassurance last night.
A spokesman for West Midlands Ambulance Service said: “Upon arrival we found a man with serious injuries.
“He received treatment at the scene and was conveyed to hospital with a critical care paramedic travelling for continued treatment en-route.”
A spokesperson for Staffordshire Police confirmed the man is still in hospital today.
They said: “The victim remains in hospital at this time and his injuries are not considered life-threatening.
“No arrests have been made at this stage but enquiries are continuing.”
Witnesses are being asked to call Staffordshire Police on 101 and quote incident 409 of 30th August.
Alternatively they can use the Live Chat on the force’s website.[4]
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References
- ^ a shooting in the Bentilee area (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
- ^ Man rushed to Royal Stoke with serious injuries amid reports of Bentilee ‘shooting’ (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
- ^ Bentilee (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
- ^ force’s website. (www.staffordshire.police.uk)
- ^ or click here (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)