Preston councillor praises local police efforts in supporting community after recent shooting

A Plungington councillor has praised the work of Preston police for making contact with residents of Dallas Street and the surrounding area, after gunmen opened fire on a property on Sunday night
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Police were seen patrolling the area of Plungington yesterday, February 23, and today, following a shooting on Dallas Street last Sunday that left a house with two bullet holes through the window.

Plunginton Councillor Pav Akhtar has praised Preston police for their efforts in maintaining a presence in the area and knocking on the doors of residents following the incident.

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Gunmen opened fire at an address on Dallas Street on Sunday evening, February 21, but shot at the "wrong house" according to police.

Det Insp George Binns, of Preston CID announced on Monday that they would be "stepping up patrols in the area".

Coun Akhtar said: "A lot of people are very unsettled by what happened at the weekend, particularly because bullets went through the window of the wrong home and so many people are stuck in at home because of the lockdown.

"It has really alarmed people and they are on edge because of it. The great thing is that the police have stepped up their efforts and have been knocking on doors and talking to residents trying to get more information and also offering reassurance.

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"I have seen police officers patrolling the area multiple times both yesterday and today, walking down streets and along Blackpool Road. The visibility of them being there is reassuring for people and I am really pleased with their response to this."

Police have continued to patrol the Plungington area following the shooting on SundayPolice have continued to patrol the Plungington area following the shooting on Sunday
Police have continued to patrol the Plungington area following the shooting on Sunday

He added that the Preston Neighbourhood Police team have been continuously trying to break the cycle of increasing crime in the area, including antisocial behaviour and drug problems.

Last year, a total of 1,736 crimes were reported in the Plunginton vicinity - 714 of those were related to antisocial behaviour or weapons, and 42 were associated with drugs.

Coun Akhtar added: "It is unsettling for people to know firearms are available and going off in the area but concerns about criminality in the Plungington area are still ongoing.

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"There are still prevalent drug problems in the community and high rates of antisocial behaviour that need to be dealt with.

Police cars were pictured parked up along Dallas Street today and officers have been seen going door-to-door to offer reassurancePolice cars were pictured parked up along Dallas Street today and officers have been seen going door-to-door to offer reassurance
Police cars were pictured parked up along Dallas Street today and officers have been seen going door-to-door to offer reassurance

"Thankfully most people are staying at home and abiding by the rules but this recent incident has worried a lot of people because nobody wants to be sitting at home worrying about a bullet coming through their window."

You can read our report on the shooting here and find more images from the scene of the shooting here.

Police are still urging anyone with information about the incident to contact the force on 101, quoting log 1295 of February 21.

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