Bomb squad called out as police find 'suspicious item' on man who was searched after refusing to pay bus fare

The bomb squad was called out to Old Trafford on Wednesday evening (April 19) after police found a 'suspicious item' on a man who had refused to pay his bus fare.

Officers were initially called to a man causing disruption on Stretford Road, at around 6.45pm, after he had refused to pay the driver for his ticket.

Upon arriving at the scene and taking the man into a police car, it is understood the suspicious item was uncovered from his bag. He was arrested and taken into custody for questioning.

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Police have not yet confirmed whether the item was deemed to be 'suspicious' or not. No further details on the item have been released at this stage.

Emergency services swarmed the scene and blocked off Stretford Road, erecting a huge cordon between Clifton Street and Chorlton Road as the Explosive Ordinance Disposal Units and fire crews were called to the incident.

Local residents were told to remain indoors as the pavement and walkways were also cordoned off and members of the public were advised to avoid the area for their safety.

One Clifton Road resident told the Manchester Evening News: "It’s really worrying. I thought it was a hoax at first when I heard it could be explosive. It’s my birthday today and got home after a lovely meal with my son and now this. It’s mad."

Another concerned local who was stood beside the cordon added: “I was having my dinner and heard a load of police sirens. I went and looked out the window and saw police vans flying down the road."

A number of police vans remained station at the scene for a number of hours as specialist teams could be seen inspecting a police car parked within the cordon that the suspicious item had been