EXCLUSIVE - Back brace sparks terror alert in Bolton
Police respond after receiving 999 call about a man wearing a vest with what looked like wires on Westhoughton high street.
A young Bolton man's been telling KEY103 of his surprise and shock that he was mistaken for a suspected suicide bomber whilst on his lunch-break, sparking a police alert.
Hinesh Vegad, who's 25 and from Heaton, currently wears a back brace after suffering a serious injury in an accident. He was on Westhoughton High Street yesterday at about 1.45pm outside the Pharmacy when it's thought a member of the public spotted him and called 999.
He uploaded this post on Facebook:
Speaking to our Chief Reporter Michelle Livesey Hinesh said, "I had no idea what was going on until I received a phone call from police explaining that they'd received reports of a man acting suspiciously. Luckily they had spoken to my friend who works in a sandwich shop when they arrived on the high street to warn people. She told them that it was me and that I wear a back-brace for my injury, and passed my contact details on. They then called me and that's when I met with them".
Hinesh went on to say, "Looking back I can totally see the funny-side of the situation, but that's because it was handled correctly. The police officers were friendly, they said they knew it was nothing to be worried about after speaking to my friend, but they had to come and confirm that it was me that was in the CCTV footage. They were very understanding. They said that I had caused quite a stir in Bolton."
"It was all in the interest and safety of the public and I couldn't fault anything they did. When they saw me they were mainly concerned about me avoiding this happening again. The brace sits very high above my shoulders because I have a high fracture, so wearing a jacket or jumper is near enough impossible."
Greater Manchester Police have issued us a statement to say:
Police responded to a report of concerns about a man in Westhoughton town centre shortly before 1.40pm yesterday, Wednesday 10 August 2016.
Officers searched the town centre and attended an address where they spoke with a man.
Nothing suspicious was found and the incident was resolved.
Anybody with concerns about terrorism is urged to contact the Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321.