Police are today investigating two reports of gunshots fired in Newcastle on Monday night.
The first report in to police was just after 9pm when a gunshot was heard on Deepdale Crescent in Cowgate.
Officers attended and found a window had been damaged at an address on the street but nobody was injured.
Then at 11.10pm a second report was made to police of two loud bangs just after 11pm in Oakfield Gardens in Benwell.
When officers arrived they found windows at a property on this street had also been damaged. Again, nobody was injured.
It is believed the offenders used vehicles in both incidents.
A spokesperson for Northumbria Police said they were "keeping an open mind as to whether they may be linked".
We have a reporter and photographer heading to both scenes to bring us updates.
Key Events
As you can see, a cordon remains in place:
First picture from the scene
Police remain on Oakfield Gardens in Benwell:
Did you see anything? - how to report it to police
Any witnesses, or anyone with any information about the incidents last night, should contact police on 101 quoting log 983 09/01/18 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
What else is Northumbria Police saying?
Superintendent Nicola Musgrove, of Northumbria Police, said incidents of this nature were not common in the city and a full investigation was underway.
She said:
“We have now had four incidents in the New Year of firearms being discharged which is very unusual for our region.
“The Northumbria force area is not a place that has a problem with gun crime and it remains one of the safest places to live in the country.
“One person has already been charged in relation to an incident in Brunswick on New Year’s Day and a full investigation is underway for the other incidents.
“Nobody has been injured in any of these incidents and the firearms have been used to damage property but it is still very concerning that firearms are being used in this way.
“The incidents last night are similar in nature and have taken place in a close proximity in a relatively short time period so we are keeping an open mind as to whether the same people could be involved.
“There will be an increased police presence in Benwell and Cowgate this morning to carry our house-to-house enquiries so if anyone has concerns we would encourage you to speak to our officers.
“If anyone saw what happened, or saw any suspicious vehicles driving in the areas of each incident last night, then we would urge you to get in touch.”
Are they linked?
That has not yet been established so far in the inquiries but a spokesperson for Northumbria Police said they were “keeping an open mind as to whether they may be linked”.
What is happening?
Police have launched an investigation after two reports of gunshots were made in Newcastle last night.
The first report in to police was just after 9pm last night when a gun shot was heard on Deepdale Crescent in Cowgate.
Officers attended and found that a window had been damaged at an address on the street but nobody was injured.
Then at 11.10pm a second report was made to police of two loud bangs just after 11pm in Oakfield Gardens in Benwell.
When officers arrived they found windows at a property on this street had also been damaged. Again, nobody was injured.
It is believed that the offenders used vehicles in both incidents.