Manchester city centre on lockdown after suspicious packages found
Parts of Manchester city centre have been put on lockdown following reports of suspicious packages.
A cordon is in place around Piccadilly Gardens and some office workers in the city have been asked to stay indoors after a suspicious package was found.
https://twitter.com/Kieron_Curtis/status/1124296352232542208
A 26-year-old man has been formally arrested and is in custody, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has confirmed.
Oldham Library, which is seven miles outside the city centre, has also been evacuated after a suspicious device was found there.
They've finished going through the bag. Cordon is being pushed further back. One cop shouting we should "clear piccadilly gardens" altogether. In the distance, more sirens. @MENnewsdesk pic.twitter.com/2dgsZaiZtT
— Francis Xavier Sowerby Thomas (@FrankyBabes) May 3, 2019
Manchester Metrolink, which runs tram services in the city, has shut down all services to and from Piccadilly Square.
“Officers are keeping an open mind and are exploring the possibility the incidents are linked”, GMP said in a statement.