Flats evacuated in Manchester over reports of suspicious item
Police have been on the scene in Owen Street
Last updated 26th Mar 2022
Following an incident this morning in which officers discovered a potential suspicious item at a flat on Owen Street, in the Deansgate area of the City Centre, a 24-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of possession of drugs and firearms offences.
Detective Superintendent Chris Downey, of GMPs City of Manchester CID, said: "Officers attended a flat on Owen Street earlier this morning to execute a warrant as part of an investigation into the supply of drugs.
"While in attendance at the flat officers discovered a possible explosive device. The EOD were called to the scene to assess the device, which has since been deemed to have been a large firework.
"As a safety precaution a 100m cordon was put in place and residents were evacuated. The cordon has now been lifted and residents allowed to return to the buildings.
"We would like to thank the residents for their patience and compliance while we worked together with GMFRS and NWAS to ensure the incident was dealt with as quickly and safely as possible".
The suspect remains in custody for questioning.
People have been allowed to return to their homes. Owen Street and surrounding roads were closed earlier as bomb disposal units were at the scene, but the roads have since opened again.
WATCH: Our reporter was there..
Police have now left the scene and all roads have been reopened.
In a statement posted on Twitter, the force said: "Emergency services are currently in attendance at Owen Street in the City Centre following the discovery of a potentially suspicious item
"A number of flats have been evacuated as a safety precaution whilst EOD make their way to the scene to make an assessment."
We'll have more on this as it happens.