This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/manchester/6923613.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Gun witnesses promised anonymity Coroner's pledge to gun witnesses
(30 minutes later)
A coroner has promised anonymity to witnesses to a series of shootings in Manchester to help find the gunmen.A coroner has promised anonymity to witnesses to a series of shootings in Manchester to help find the gunmen.
Nigel Meadow's promise came just hours after a 33-year-old man was shot in the leg in Cobden Street in Blackley. Nigel Meadow's pledge came just hours after a 33-year-old man was shot in the leg in Cobden Street in Blackley.
He was the fifth person to be shot in the past five days in the city, which includes the death of a 23-year-old who died in a drive-by shooting at a wake.He was the fifth person to be shot in the past five days in the city, which includes the death of a 23-year-old who died in a drive-by shooting at a wake.
Greater Manchester Police have said "there is a problem in terms of getting people to come forward".Greater Manchester Police have said "there is a problem in terms of getting people to come forward".
Mr Meadows said witnesses could evidence by video-link, with their voice distorted, to protect their anonymity. Mr Meadows said witnesses could give evidence by video-link, with their voice distorted, to protect their anonymity.
Drive-by at wakeDrive-by at wake
"Anyone who has got any information should feel confident that they can have their anonymity protected and that they can come forward without fear," he said."Anyone who has got any information should feel confident that they can have their anonymity protected and that they can come forward without fear," he said.
"The justice system now can put in place measures to protect people.""The justice system now can put in place measures to protect people."
CITY'S RECENT SHOOTINGS 27 July Tyrone Gilbert, 23, fatally shot and 33-year-old man injured in Chorlton-on-MedlockBoy aged 14 injured in drive-by shooting near Hulme ParkBoy aged 16 shot in leg in Moss Side 31 July Man aged 33 shot in leg in BlackleyCITY'S RECENT SHOOTINGS 27 July Tyrone Gilbert, 23, fatally shot and 33-year-old man injured in Chorlton-on-MedlockBoy aged 14 injured in drive-by shooting near Hulme ParkBoy aged 16 shot in leg in Moss Side 31 July Man aged 33 shot in leg in Blackley
A police spokesperson said that officers were following up a number of lines of inquiry following calls from the public about the recent shootings.
Tyrone Gilbert, a father-of-three from Longsight, was killed in a drive-by shooting while at a wake in Chorlton-on-Medlock on Friday.Tyrone Gilbert, a father-of-three from Longsight, was killed in a drive-by shooting while at a wake in Chorlton-on-Medlock on Friday.
He was attending the wake of 24-year-old Ucal Chin - another victim of Manchester's gun crime who was killed in a drive-by shooting near his home in Frobisher Close last month.He was attending the wake of 24-year-old Ucal Chin - another victim of Manchester's gun crime who was killed in a drive-by shooting near his home in Frobisher Close last month.
Another man, aged 33, was also shot during the same incident but survived.Another man, aged 33, was also shot during the same incident but survived.
'Gunchester' nickname'Gunchester' nickname
Just hours later a 14-year-old was hurt in a drive-by shooting in Stretford Road near Hulme Park.Just hours later a 14-year-old was hurt in a drive-by shooting in Stretford Road near Hulme Park.
A 16-year-old boy had also earlier been shot in the leg in Hartington Road area in Moss Side on Friday.A 16-year-old boy had also earlier been shot in the leg in Hartington Road area in Moss Side on Friday.
Greater Manchester Police have not said whether the shootings are linked.Greater Manchester Police have not said whether the shootings are linked.
They have denied that gun crime is out of control in the city - nicknamed "Gunchester" in the past - but have said it was a "difficult time".They have denied that gun crime is out of control in the city - nicknamed "Gunchester" in the past - but have said it was a "difficult time".