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Gun found at nursery shut down over rat infestation

Haider Saleem,North Westand
Charlotte Hall,Local Democracy Reporting Service
News imageBBC Wide view of the grey-fronted Mini Fingers Private Day Nursery building. A marked police estate car is parked outside on the left, while a police van and another police vehicle are further along the road, on the right. Several people can be seen near the nursery entrance. Traffic lights and bollards are visible in the foreground under a blue sky.BBC
Police were called to Mini Fingers nursery in Irlam, which was closed following a rat infestation

A gun has been found at a nursery which was closed last week over a rat infestation.

Officers made the discovery after searching Mini Fingers nursery on Liverpool Road in Irlam, Salford, at about 20:30 BST on Wednesday, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said.

The nursery had been issued with a prohibition order by Salford City Council's environmental health department on Friday.

The force said it had found a firearm and a "substantial quantity" of ammunition and two men had been arrested on suspicion of drug offences. GMP said the investigation was entirely unrelated to the closure.

The men, one in his 30s and another in his 50s, were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply cocaine and cannabis. They remain in custody for questioning.

News imageGMP black and silver handgun lies on a brown surface next to a separate black magazine and a grey police measurement scale. Several dark-coloured wrapped packages or bags are positioned behind the firearm.GMP
Greater Manchester Police said officers recovered a firearm and a substantial quantity of ammunition during the search in Irlam

Oficers from GMP's serious organised crime group, supported by its tactical aid unit, carried out the search at the nursery after acting on information.

Det Insp Rich McCorry said: "This operation demonstrates our continued commitment to disrupting serious organised crime and removing dangerous weapons from our streets."

He said the recovery of the firearm may have prevented a serious incident.

Police said officers remained at the premises while inquiries continued.

News imageA person wearing a white hooded protective suit and black footwear stands with their back to the camera at the open sliding door of a police van. The white vehicle has the words "Crime Scene Investigation" written on its side. The person appears to be looking or reaching inside the van.
Police officers searched the building after the force said it received intelligence

The nursery was ordered to close on Friday after inspectors discovered vermin in the building, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) said.

Parents were told on Monday it would not reopen, with an email blaming a collapsed drain beneath the baby room for the infestation.

The email said vermin had managed to "burrow their way into the main building" because of the damaged drain.

It also said the business was struggling financially and the owner could not see a way forward. The nursery manager said she was "devastated" by the closure.

Salford City Council said its environmental health and children's services officers had taken "proactive and decisive action" after being alerted to the issue.

A city council spokesperson said: "This will be a stressful and unsettling time for parents and carers.

"However, our officers are working with families to help them find alternative childcare provision in the community."

It added the nursery had surrendered its Ofsted registration.

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