Parents 'shaken to the core' after gun and drugs stash are found at Salford baby nursery hiding rat infestation

From the Newshound archive · first published 9 October 2026.

Greater Manchester Police's Serious Organised Crime Group raided Mini Fingers Day Nursery in Irlam, Salford on Wednesday night, recovering a firearm and a substantial cache of ammunition. The same premises had been found just days earlier to be harbouring rats that had burrowed into the baby room. Two men — one in his 30s, one in his 50s — were detained on suspicion of conspiracy to supply cocaine and cannabis. The nursery had already surrendered its Ofsted registration after Salford Council issued a prohibition order on 2 October. Mother Chloe Malpus, whose son, aged two, was enrolled there, said she is overwhelmed by guilt at having left him in its care.

A collapsed drain directly beneath the baby room is thought to be how the rats got in, with concerns that the infestation had gone undetected for weeks before inspectors attended.

Detective Inspector Rich McCorry said the gun seizure had 'potentially prevented a serious incident', with officers acting on intelligence before striking the premises at 8.30pm.

Chloe Malpus said her son will 'never attend any nursery setting ever again' after the discoveries 'completely destroyed' her trust.