David Short murder: Police launch fresh appeal for information

Dale Cregan

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Police have launched a fresh appeal for information to help trace a car they believe was used by the perpetrators of two attacks last Friday.

Investigating officers continue to hunt Dale Cregan and Anthony Wilkinson with the gun and grenade attacks in Clayton and Droylsden, once of which left 46-year-old David Short dead.

Police discovered a silver five-door Ford Fiesta, registration BJ52 XMX, abandoned on Lord Lane in Failsworth at around 11.30am last Friday 10th August and are keen to trace its whereabouts. The vehicle was purchased the day before at 2pm.

Officers are hoping to hear from anyone who saw a white Vauxhall Combo van any time after it was hired from Salford Van Hire, between 4.45pm on Thursday evening, and 10.30am the following morning.

Details of the weapons used in the attacks have also been released. Military grade grenades from Yugoslavia are believed to have caused the explosions.

“We are appealing to the public to let us know if they saw the Fiesta anytime after it was bought last Thursday at 2pm, up to the time it was found on Friday morning. Please get in touch with us if you have any information – you may think what you saw is only trivial but it could be important to our investigation.

“We continue to have a considerable police presence, including armed officers, in the Clayton and Droylsden areas. We also have a large number of detectives investigating last week’s incidents, who have made significant developments to identify those involved in the attacks and the murder of David Short.

“We do not believe that the two attacks last Friday were random, but understandably, people in the area are still hugely concerned by what they may have seen and heard.

“We have arrested three people so far in connection with Friday’s attacks and we are continuing to look for two other men – 29-year-old Dale Cregan and 33-year-old Anthony Wilkinson - who we still want to speak to. We are urging any members of the public that have seen either of these men since Friday morning, or who know where they are now, to contact us immediately. Please do not try and approach them, but call the police on 999.”

A 28-year-old man arrested on Tuesday in Droylsden on suspicion of murder has been bailed pending further inquiries.

Two men, aged 37 and 25, who were arrested over the weekend on suspicion of murder have both been bailed pending further inquiries.

Cregan is also wanted in connection with the murder of David Short's son Mark, who was shot dead in the Cotton Tree Pub on 25th May.

Anyone with information in relation to this investigation is asked to call police at the Major Incident Team on 0161 856 3301 or 101, or call the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.