BREAKING: Large cordon in Piccadilly Gardens - latest updates

A large police cordon is in place in Manchester city centre this evening.

Officers have taped off an area of Piccadilly Gardens, a short distance from the Metrolink stop.

Pictures from the scene show several police officers guarding the scene.

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It is not yet clear why the cordon has been put in place.

Greater Manchester Police has been approached for further information.

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An officer at the scene said the cordon was likely to remain in place for at least the next hour as enquiries continue @MENnewsdesk pic.twitter.com/xGBDxYKU9p

Various community support officers are stood at either end of the cordons. @MENnewsdesk pic.twitter.com/1AYoubrAfB

The cordons block off one of the entrances from the bus station and tram stop, beside the door of the Cafe Nero @MENnewsdesk pic.twitter.com/rKSXECXFsb

There are multiple large cordons in place across Piccadilly gardens following reports of a serious incident @MENnewsdesk pic.twitter.com/yhNoYPaDZ2

An eyewitness said a large patch of grass in Piccadilly Gardens had been taped off by police.

"There are more than half a dozens police officers around the cordon," they added. "It looks like it happened not long ago."