POLICE have arrested two men over a shooting which left another man "critically injured".

A 25-year-old and a 37-year-old were detained by officers this morning on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder.

It comes after a man in his 20s was shot outside the Outline Health & Fitness Centre in Lever Street, in the morning of Friday, July 12. The victim remains in hospital where police say he is in a "stable condition".

The 37-year-old man was also arrested over conspiracy to cause an explosion and conspiracy to commit arson.

The shooting has been linked to a subsequent car bomb on Tuesday July 23, in which an improvised explosive device (IED) was thrown into a BMW on Castle Street.

Following the arrests, police have released images of a vehicle they are looking to trace.

The dark red Vauxhall Mokka, registration number DW68 GDY, was seen on nearby St Mark's Street around the time of the shooting. It is believed to have been headed towards Manchester.

The Bolton News:

Detective chief inspector Alan Clitherow, of GMP’s Major Incident Team, said officers are continuing to search for information.

“The level of violence seen in these incidents is particularly shocking and has no place on our streets," he said.

“We have a team of detectives dedicated to finding the people responsible and although we’ve made two significant arrests, our enquiries are very much ongoing. I’d like to appeal for the public’s help in tracing the dark red Vauxhall Mokka. If you saw this car in the area of St Marks Street or Lever Street on 12 July, or if you have seen it since the shooting, then please get in touch with us as a matter of urgency.

“I would ask people not to approach the car, and if you see it then please call police immediately."

The Vauxhall was reported stolen three weeks before the shooting, and police are keen to hear from anyone with details on its movements from June 21 until now.

Anyone with any information can get in touch on 0161 856 4711.

Alternatively, information can be passed on via Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111. Anybody who calls either number should use the reference ‘Operation Progress’.