David Short murder: 'Rare' £25,000 reward offered

A reward of up to £25,000 has been offered in the hunt to find two men wanted in connection with the murder of a man in Greater Manchester.

Officers are searching for Dale Cregan, 29, from Droylsden, and Anthony Wilkinson, 33, of Beswick, in connection with David Short's death.

The 46-year-old's body was found in Folkestone Road East, Clayton, after a blast was heard last Friday morning.

Greater Manchester Police called the reward "rare".

Asst Ch Con Steve Heywood said: "A reward of this nature is rare for two reasons; firstly it is available only to those who call Crimestoppers, and it is a major development for a reward to be offered in relation to an arrest only.

"If you recognise the images of Cregan, who has a black false eye, and Wilkinson, please get in touch as soon as possible."

Usually, a Crimestoppers reward is only offered if an arrest also leads to a successful conviction.

A post-mortem examination concluded Mr Short died from multiple gunshot wounds and an explosion injury.

On Thursday, police said grenades used in the attack which killed Mr Short were military weapons from the former Yugoslavia.

Officers are also investigating how the grenades reached the UK.

Three men arrested on suspicion of murder have been bailed pending further inquiries.

Mr Cregan is also wanted in connection with the death of David's son Mark, who was killed in a shooting at the Cotton Tree pub, in Droylsden, on 25 May.

Ten minutes after the attack in Clayton, gunshots were heard and a grenade attack took place two miles away at a house in Luke Road, Droylsden.

A white Vauxhall Combo van, hired the previous day, was found abandoned with grenade damage on the same street.

An explosion damaging the vehicle had been caused deliberately to cover someone's tracks, police said.

Police announced on Thursday they believed a silver Ford Fiesta abandoned on Lord Lane, Failsworth, was involved in the crimes.

Armed police patrols have been taking place in Clayton and Droylsden since the attacks on Friday, 10 August.

Mark Short, 23, died when a masked gunman opened fire at the pub on Market Street.

Three people have been charged with his murder and are due to appear at Manchester Crown Court at a later date.