Man 'arrested at gunpoint' as armed cops swoop in north Manchester - and box in 'suspicious' van

14.05.2022 - 16:27 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Armed police swooped on a 'suspicious' van and made two arrests. The dramatic scenes played out on Moston Lane in Moston, north Manchester, at around 6pm on Friday night (May 13).

Images from the scene show armed police officers patrolling the area in the aftermath. Police said a 27-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession of class A drugs and possession of a bladed article.

He remained in police custody for questioning on Saturday afternoon, Greater Manchester Police said. The second man held has been released.

READ MORE:

Witnesses reported seeing one of the man arrested being held at gunpoint on the floor near the Mowers Arms pub on Moston Lane. The white Transit van was boxed in by police at a nearby car park.

Reports also suggested the police helicopter was scrambled. Police confirmed the arrests were made after the vehicle was stopped and searched. It was initially spotted by GMP firearms units at around 6pm.

In a statement, Greater Manchester Police said: "A 27-year-old man is in police custody after officers in north Manchester stopped and searched a suspicious vehicle.

"The van was spotted on Moston Lane at about 6pm on 13 May 2022 by GMP firearms officers.

"Two men were subsequently detained - one remains in police custody on suspicion of possession of class A drugs and possession of a bladed article, while the other has been released."

No further details have been released and the men arrested have not been named.

Sign up to the MEN email newsletters to get the latest on sport, news, what's on and more by following this link