Yesterday afternoon, a significant police presence, including armed response units, gathered at a building in Manchester Metropolitan University due to a misunderstanding, as reported.
The incident began when a student, leaving a theatre rehearsal, was seen carrying a fake sword. A concerned witness reported this to the police, leading to a prompt response.
This is the scene outside Grosvenor East this afternoon, as armed police have stormed the area. @MENnewsdesk pic.twitter.com/5nIfeN9QzV
— Stephen Topping (@stetopping) May 17, 2024
A Greater Manchester Police (GMP) spokesperson confirmed that armed officers were called to a building on Grosvenor Street this morning following reports of a male with a sword in the city centre. Upon locating the male, officers determined that the sword was a wooden prop designed for theatrical purposes. The spokesperson stated that the incident has been resolved and stood down.
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Fortunately, upon arrival, officers promptly identified the wooden sword as a theatrical prop, and the situation was resolved peacefully through collaboration between police and university security staff.
Video recorded by bystanders shows a substantial police presence at the scene, causing understandable concern. However, university officials verified that the incident was a false alarm, and normal operations have resumed.
A recent increase in knife attacks, including a tragic sword attack in London on April 30th that resulted in the death of a 14-year-old boy, has sparked renewed concerns about violent crime in the UK. The accessibility of knives and several notable incidents, particularly in London, are prompting demands for action. Police reported that the individual involved in the attack used what seemed to be a Samurai-style sword in the Hainault district. Law enforcement officers used Taser stun guns to apprehend the 36-year-old suspect, who was subsequently taken into custody.
