NINE people have been arrested over a shooting and murder - including two in the Bolton and Bury areas - during a series of dawn raids.

Police investigating a shooting in Burnley and a murder in Manchester executed a number of search warrants.

Later detectives confirmed homes in Radcliffe, Prestwich, Oldham, Gorton, Cheetham Hill, and Brierfield were raided.

The swoops follow a probe codenamed Operation Callaway into an incident in Salus Street, Burnley on February 4, where two men received gunshot injuries.

Several arrests were made at the time and police say some of those allegedly involved have been detained in relation to the murder of Rhys Thompson, 29, who was killed in Crumpsall last May.

Det Supt Nick Connaughton said: “Since the shocking incidents in Burnley in February we have been carrying out a number of enquiries and we reached the stage today where we were able to make a number of arrests.

“While I understand these raids and the nature of these violent incidents may cause concern, I’d like to reassure people while this is shocking and very serious, at this stage we believe the incidents are targeted and we do not believe there is any threat to the wider public.

“I would like to thank our colleagues for the help and support during our enquiries up to this point and as part of (this) activity which has been extremely complex to co-ordinate.”