Brother of man shot dead in Manchester worried we could be seeing return of guns
It follows two reports of gun shots across Greater Manchester earlier this week
Last updated 14th Mar 2025
A man whose brother was fatally shot, when Manchester was nicknamed 'Gunchester' is worried we could be seeing the return of the lethal weapons.
Ian Cameron Swanston's brother, Dorrie, was 20-years-old brother when he was shot dead in Hulme in 1999.
Hits and Greatest Hits Radio Manchester have been speaking to Ian following two reports of gunshots across Greater Manchester earlier this week.
On Monday night, officers were called to Morville Road in Chorlton, after receiving reports of a suspected firearms discharge at a property on the street.
On Wednesday night, police were then called to Green Lane in Middleton after another report of gunshots.
Greater Manchester Police believe the two incidents are not linked.
There's been no reports of any injuries in either case.
Ian said it is scary people are carrying gun on our streets: "So many people, more people can be hurt, using a gun, and in such a quicker space of time as well.
"The focus has been knife crime, and the impact on that.
"The fact that actually we're seeing gun crime is still clearly a major issue for the city.
"It is concerning.
"The fact that we have seen a reduction in these incidents (over the years), it is hopeful, however, anytime we're hearing about guns being on our streets again, it creates this level of higher levels of risk and higher death levels as well."
Ian said it's important charities, such as Mothers Against Violence, who he is a trustee for, continue working with young people to help eradicate the issue: "We've always felt that it's not necessarily what weapon is used, and it's actually the mental state of people.
"We need to ask why do people feel that they need to take up any arms to another human, when there's such a big impact on the community..."
Ian said he often has phone calls from worried families: "Parents who are concerned that they see weapons such as guns in the community, and will call organisations like ours just to get advice and direction on these issues."
Earlier this week, Greater Manchester Police revealed they seized 76 'turkish blank firers' (which can be easily made into a firearm) over the course of a month, as part of a national amnesty.
Three of those had already been made into lethal firearms.
GMP say they continue to crack down on serious violent crime and it is a priority for the force.