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Shots fired at busy pub in Wolverhampton 'gang attack'

Shots were fired at a busy Wolverhampton pub in a suspected gang attack last night.

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The Gatehouse Pub in Mercury Drive, off Stafford Road in Wolverhampton

Terrified customers were shut inside as men armed with machetes arrived at The Gatehouse Pub off Stafford Road at around 6pm on Saturday.

A man in a motorcycle helmet is understood to have fired several shots at the pub's beer garden before fleeing in a car. It is not known if anyone was attacked with the machetes.

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Armed police were sent to the Hungry Horse pub and restaurant on the site of the former Goodyear factory in Donington Grove, Oxley, near the Aldi store off the A449.

The pub remained closed and cordoned off with police tape throughout Saturday evening but was back open as normal at 9am on Sunday.

Two people took themselves to hospital with injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening or life-changing.

Officers have been speaking to witnesses and watching CCTV footage. Photo: John Cullen

Police said customers were immediately locked inside the pub for their safety, although some customers disputed on social media whether the doors had been locked.

Chief Inspector Jack Hadley, the incident manager for West Midlands Police, said the 'terrifying' attack was targeted and likely to be linked to gangs.

Officers have been trawling CCTV and speaking to witnesses at the scene and at the hospital but so far nobody has been arrested.

Police outside the Gatehouse on Saturday evening. Photo: John Cullen

“This must have been a terrifying experience for customers at the pub and I would like to reassure them that we will leave no stone unturned in our hunt for the gunman," Ch Insp Hadley said.

“Early indications are that it is gang related and not a random attack.

"I would ask that anyone who witnessed what happened and has not yet spoken to police, contact us on 101.

"Equally if anyone captured anything on their mobile phone, please share the footage with us to assist with our investigation.”

A spokesperson for the Gatehouse said on Saturday: "We’re working with police to support their investigation into an incident in our pub garden this evening.

"We’re supporting all our staff who are currently at the pub with police. The pub is currently closed."

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