Manchester bomb scare: Piccadilly Gardens and Oldham evacuated after suspect package found
A BOMB squad flocked to Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester following reports of a second suspicious package found in the major city today.
Police cordoned off the area with blue tape and scene guards are urging the public not to approach the Gardens while the package is being dealt with by professionals. The cordon covers McDonalds, Piccadilly Gardens, and part of a tram station, the Manchester Evening News reports. A man, 26, has been detained by police who say another suspicious package was found in a Manchester library today.
Manchester: Police cordon off Piccadilly Gardens in city centre
Traffic is heavily congested in the city as a result of the cordon.
The fire brigade are also on the scene.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said the incident could be related to the evacuation of Oldham Library, which was also evacuated due to a suspicious package being found there also.
GMP said in a statement: ““A cordon remains in place in Piccadilly Gardens after reports of a suspicious package were made. A man aged 26 has now been formally arrested and is in custody.
“Assessors, along with the fire service, will be attending to establish if the item is viable. Transport links including the Metrolink have been affected as a result of the cordon.
“As part of enquiries, Oldham Library has also been evacuated after reports of a suspicious device found there. Officers are keeping an open mind and are exploring the possibility the incidents are linked.”
In town and Piccadilly gardens has been completely shut off, siren going off and police everywhere wtfff
— chelsea j x (@Chelsea26129x) May 3, 2019
Social media users shared their concerns on Twitter at the news.
One said: “In town and Piccadilly gardens has been completely shut off, siren going off and police everywhere wtfff.”
Another said: “Piccadilly Gardens has been cordoned off by police after reports of a suspicious package. Surrounding buildings have been evacuated.”
Piccadilly Gardens has been cordoned off by police after reports of a suspicious package. Surrounding buildings have been evacuated pic.twitter.com/cGcPeIJSNs
— ✨Jazzmine ✨ (@jazzmineamber) May 3, 2019
Another Twitter user said: “I’ve never seen anything like it - the whole of Piccadilly Gardens has been closed and cordoned off due to a suspicious package.”
Buses around the area have been diverted.
Manchester Metrolink tweeted: “We have NO services operating Piccadilly - Victoria or St Peters Square - Piccadilly. Updates to follow. “
Due to an police incident in the city centre, we have the following service changes: Bury - Deansgate via Exchange Square, Bury - Altrincham via Exchange Square, Airport - Victoria via Exchange Square, Eccles - Cornbrook and Ashton - Piccadilly.
— Manchester Metrolink (@MCRMetrolink) May 3, 2019
Manchester: Police respond to suspicious package reports
This followed their earlier tweet: “Due to an police incident in the city centre, we have the following service changes: Bury - Deansgate via Exchange Square, Bury - Altrincham via Exchange Square, Airport - Victoria via Exchange Square, Eccles - Cornbrook and Ashton - Piccadilly.”
In the latest police update, GMP said: “The suspicious package in Piccadilly Gardens is not believed to be a viable device.
“The fire service is currently at the scene to assist with enquires.
“A cordon will remain in place util the materials are made safe to move and enquires are concluded.
“The 26-year-old man remains in custody for questioning.”
Police also appear to have re-evacuated Piccadilly Gardens.
A social media user said: “Police are now telling everyone to leave Piccadilly Gardens. The original larger cordon in place earlier has been imposed again.”
This was after trams were given the go ahead to run through the area after the original cordon was removed.
Others say a white disposal robot has been brought in by police specialists.
Meanwhile, Oldham library on Union Street remains taped off.
The royal logistic corps bomb disposal squad are still on the scene.
GMP released a further statement, saying “further enquiries” were taking place in the area.
Please follow directions from officers at #PiccadillyGardens. If you're in the city, please avoid Piccadilly Gardens, whilst we continue to investigate. Thank you for your patience & understanding, we will continue to provide updates as and when we can. #Manchester #CityCentre
— GMP City Centre (@GMPCityCentre) May 3, 2019
They said: “The cordon in Piccadilly Gardens remains in place while officers conduct further enquiries.
“Officers responding to reports of a suspicious package in the area deemed it to be a non-viable device.
“Further enquiries are being carried out and bomb disposal officers are on their way to the scene to assist with these enquiries.
“The cordon will remain in place as a precautionary measure and people in the area are encouraged to follow directions from officers.
“As part of the investigation, officers were also responding to reports of a suspicious package at Oldham Library. This was also deemed to be non-viable.
“Thank you for your patience as we respond to this.”