BREAKING: Person in canal in Manchester city centre as emergency services response launched - latest updates

Emergency services are responding to reports of a person in a canal in Manchester city centre. Police have been pictured on Ducie Street this Friday afternoon (December 8).

A number of police cars and officers are at the scene, as our North West Ambulance Service paramedics.

At least two ambulance vehicles are at the scene. It is understood police and paramedics were called at around 1.45pm.

A GMP statement read: "At approximately 1.45pm today (8 December 2023), police were called to reports of a concern for welfare of a person in the canal near Ducie Street in Manchester."

We'll bring you the latest from the scene in live blog below...

GMP has said: “At approximately 1:45pm today (8 Dec 2023), police were called to reports of a concern for welfare of a person in the canal near Ducie Street in Manchester.”

A police car has just left the scene, so only two officers remain in front of the car park @MENnewsdesk

A Greater Manchester Police statement has just landed. It reads:

At approximately 1:45pm today (8 December 2023), police were called to reports of a concern for welfare of a person in the canal near Ducie Street in Manchester.

This is where police and paramedics are focusing their attention...

It appears cops are outside the entrance to Navigation House, which is a mixture of apartments and a Morrisons Daily store @MENnewsdesk pic.twitter.com/cJIy7Z6EVR

Reporter Ethan Davies is at the scene.

I’m here on Ducie Street, near Piccadilly Station, where police and ambulances are in attendance at a scene @MENnewsdesk pic.twitter.com/NVSa8HndSs