Salford Crime War: ‘A Team’ and ‘Anti-A Team’ Brought Down
In a brutal Salford turf war back in 2015, two organised crime gangs – the ‘A Team’ and ‘Anti-A Team’ – waged violent battles across the city. Now, years of fierce clashes and shocking attacks have finally led to major convictions thanks to Greater Manchester Police’s (GMP) relentless Operation Leopard.
Operation Leopard: Crackdown on Salford’s Gangland Violence
Operation Leopard, led by GMP’s Major Incident Team, has battled through three intense phases. Earlier stages saw 11 gang members locked up for horrific crimes, including the murders of Paul Massey and John Kinsella, plus the shootings of innocent seven-year-old Christian Hickey Junior and his mother Jayne.
Ambushes, Machetes & Hidden Trackers
The latest phase of Operation Leopard rocked Salford with chilling gang attacks. On 18 February 2015, three gunshots were fired point-blank into a man’s car on Doveleys Road.
A hidden tracker was later found on the victim’s Mercedes. Just over a month later, on 21 March, two men near their Volkswagen were savagely attacked with a machete and baseball bat in a brutal ambush on Brattice Drive. One victim was left seriously injured, saved only by a heroic off-duty nurse who rushed to help.
Police discovered another hidden tracker on the Volkswagen. The court heard these were carefully planned hits by Anti-A Team members targeting rivals in the A Team.
DNA, CCTV & Phones Seal the Case
Crucial forensic work uncovered DNA on the trackers, tying Aaron Parkin of HMP Manchester directly to the devices. Phone records confirmed Parkin orchestrated buying, planting, and monitoring the trackers.
CCTV footage showed Mark Fellows, jailed at HMP Wakefield, at Parkin’s home during key moments before one ambush. After a six-week trial, Fellows was found guilty of conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm related to the machete attack.
Parkin had already admitted conspiracy to cause serious harm in connection with both attacks. On Friday 13 November 2020, Manchester Crown Court sentenced Fellows to life with a minimum of nine years behind bars. Parkin received 14 years.
Police Praise Public Courage & Pledge Crime Fight
“The men convicted under Operation Leopard share one thing – brutal, reckless violence and a total disregard for public safety,” said Detective Chief Inspector Carl Jones.
“This case shows that nobody is untouchable, no matter how hardened or organised.”
“Operation Leopard has been a huge challenge, but we’ve safeguarded over 300 vulnerable adults and kept communities safe. I want to thank everyone who helped—GMP teams, Salford Council, CPS, prison services, and especially brave members of the public who came forward with vital evidence.”
