Manchester Street on lock down after two men arrested on terror offences

Police cordoned off a section of Manchester City Centre after two men were arrested on suspicion of terror offences.

Officers were called to Chapel Street at about 2.30pm this afternoon after reports of suspicious behaviour.

Dramatic footage from the scene shows a police van boxing in a Range Rover and pulling out two men, who were pinned to the ground and arrested.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said ‘suspicious items’ were found in the car and have been extensively examined by a bomb disposal unit.

These were not considered to be a danger to the public and the cordon has now been removed.

GMP said it was keeping an ‘open mind’ as to the nature of the incident and stressed there was no evidence to suggest any threat to the public at this time.

They two men remain in custody for questioning on suspicion of commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.

A GMP spokesperson said: ‘Anyone with information should call police on 101 quoting incident number 1558 of 30/10/2019, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously,on 0800 555 111.’