Armed police flood town centre as thugs with weapons spark chaos

Armed police swarmed Oldham town centre this evening (July 7) after two groups of thugs chased each other with weapons after a crash.

Two cars were involved in a collision on Yorkshire Street, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said. Those inside both cars then got out and chased each other on foot whilst brandishing unspecified weapons.

GMP received a number of calls from horrified members of the public, the force said. It is not yet known if anyone has been injured. A stretch of Yorkshire Street and Horsedge Street has been taped off. There is a large police presence including a number of armed officers.

READ MORE: LIVE Armed police descend on Oldham high street as traffic brought to standstill - updates

A badly damaged black 4x4 could be seen inside the cordon with one of its doors open and officers said to be seen looking inside. A double-decker bus was among the vehicles caught up in the traffic disruption.

Members of the public are advised to avoid the area and make alternative travel arrangements where possible. Patrols have been increased in a bid to provide reassurance

A GMP spokesperson said: "We are currently responding to an incident in Oldham after two cars were involved in a road traffic collision on Yorkshire Street.

"The occupants of both cars exited their vehicles and officers believed they chased each other on foot brandishing weapons. Specialist officers have been deployed to the area to conduct initial enquiries.

"We understand the concern this will cause in the surrounding areas and further afield across Oldham as we received a number of reports from members of the public to alert us to this incident.

"We have put a cordon in place on Yorkshire Street and Horsedge Street whilst officers work to