Manchester lockdown: Shops evacuated in Piccadilly Gardens – huge police presence
SHOPPERS in Piccadilly Gardens, in Manchester city centre, have been evacuated while a huge police presence attends the scene.
Manchester: Police seen responding to incident in city centre
Police were called at 1.15pm this afternoon after a "suspicious item" was found at a bus near Manchester Piccaddilly bus station. Shocking footage from social media shows a group of police officers swarming the streets and roads while attending the scene.
Greater Manchester Police said in a statement: "At around 1.15pm today (Saturday, September 5 2020), police were called to reports that a suspicious item had been found on a bus at Manchester Piccadilly bus station.
"Officers are in attendance and several roads are closed.
"The bus has been evacuated as a precaution and a cordon remains in place.
"Enquiries are ongoing."
Anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting incident number 1452 of 05/09/2020, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800555111.
Onlookers quckly shared the scenes on social media.
Rich Jones tweeted: "Incident happening in Piccadilly Gardens.
"Staff evacuated from shops and around the area."
READ MORE: London’s East Croydon station evacuated in bomb threat
Incident happening in Piccadilly Gardens. Staff evacuated from shops and around the area. @MENnewsdesk pic.twitter.com/xC6dnUNwPu
— Rich Jones (@richjones09) September 5, 2020
Rebecca Day added: "Big cordon near Piccadilly Gardens.
"Huge police response."
Transport for Greater Manchester have said on Twitter: "Due to a Police Incident Parker Street, Piccadilly is closed.
"Congestion expected on Portland St, please use an alternative route if possible."
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Incident happening in Piccadilly Gardens. Staff evacuated from shops and around the area. @MENnewsdesk pic.twitter.com/xC6dnUNwPu
— Rich Jones (@richjones09) September 5, 2020
Manchester councillor Pat Karney tweeted: "Suspicious package on a bus in Piccadilly.
"Major incident response."
Other shoppers shared their confusion as the events unfolded.
One user said: "Well I am very very stuck at Piccadilly gardens.
"What on Earth is going on?"
Another added: "Worrying news from Piccadilly Gardens - hopefully it turns out to be nothing."
Somebody else posted: "Being evacuated from Piccadilly gardens.
"Huge police presence. Bit of panic. Probably sensible to stay out of town."