A CAR was blown up on a residential back street in a targeted attack that is being linked to a shooting earlier this month.

The black BMW was parked in Back Castle Street in The Haulgh at 9pm on Tuesday when its window was smashed and an explosive device thrown inside it.

Police say there is no suggestion that the incident is terrorism related, however it is being treated as a targeted attack. 

It is believed the incident may be linked to a shooting on Lever Street on July 12, in which a man was left seriously injured.

Specially trained fire officers and bomb disposal experts were mobilised to the street, which is situated between Castle Street and Dorset Street, on Tuesday evening, and confirmed the device was an improvised explosive device (IED).

The Bolton News:

Police say the offender is described as a black man, approximately 6ft tall and wearing dark clothing, with his hood up and face covered.

The fire-damaged BMW remained parked on Back Castle Street this afternoon. The street was cordoned off throughout the day while officers patrolled the scene.

One resident living nearby said: “There was a loud bang. 

“I ran outside and there was a car going up in smoke.

“There was a plume of blue smoke coming out of the top it. It was obvious that the car had exploded.

“At first, I wondered whether the sun roof had exploded in the heat or if it was a firework.”

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She added: “This is not the first time something like this has happened around here. It’s scary.

“You can’t let your kids hang about on the street because you never know what is going to happen.”

Detective Superintendent Howard Millington, of GMP’s Bolton District, said: “Thankfully nobody was injured during this shocking incident, but we know that it will understandably cause concern in the local community.

“Local residents will notice an increased police presence in the area to provide reassurance and carry out further enquiries as we try to establish the full circumstances of what happened.

“If you have concerns then I would encourage you to please approach one of these officers on patrol, or alternatively you could contact police on the number provided.

“I want to make it clear that organised crime has no place on our streets. To use an IED as a tool to cause fear is abhorrent, and we cannot have people such as this walking around, free to intimidate others.

“This simply will not be tolerated and I want to urge anybody with information about this incident to please contact police and help us find those responsible.”

Anybody with information should call police on 0161 856 5599 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Anybody who calls either number should use the reference ‘Operation Progress’ when passing on information.