Man arrested and flats evacuated after suspicious substance found in Collyhurst
A block of flats on Hamerton Road has been cordoned off and a man is being questioned on suspicion of making malicious communications.
Last updated 13th Nov 2018
20:41: Northwards Housing association says all Roach Court residents have now been allowed back into their homes.
19:59: Local councillor Pat Karney says the substance was discovered on the 7th floor of the building. He says the situation is "very alarming".
It appears residents from the 1st to 5th floors have been allowed back into the building - but the 6th and 7th remain cordoned off.
Residents have been directed towards Humphries Court, where a facility has been set up with drinks and toilet facilities.
19:41: Police say there is no suggestion the incident is terrorism-related.
A man was arrested just after 12:15pm today after reports that threatening phone calls had been made to a third party.
It was on arrival at the address that the substance was discovered and the cordon was quickly put in place.
An assessment of the substance is currently being carried out by emergency services.
Superintendent Chris Allsop, of Greater Manchester Police, said: “We are continuing to carry out enquiries on Hamerton Road this evening after officers responding to reports of threatening behaviour earlier today found a quantity of a suspicious substance.
“At this stage it is unknown exactly what this substance is and as such we have specialist officers from GMP and GMFRS carrying out assessments at the scene.
“Our number one priority is public safety so we made the decision to evacuate Roach Court flats as a precaution while these assessments are carried out and we are working with partner agencies to ensure that residents have somewhere to go.
“I appreciate seeing an incident such as this will cause concern to the public but I want to stress that there is nothing at this stage to suggest that this incident is terrorism related."
19:38: A man has been arrested on suspicion of making malicious communications and a block of flats on Hamerton Road in Collyhurst has been evacuated as a precaution.
Police have received reports of a suspicious substance being found at an address there.