BREAKING: Police cordon off retail park as members of the public urged to avoid the area - live updates

Police have cordoned off a retail park in Rochdale this morning due to an ongoing incident - as members of the public have been urged to avoid the area.

Emergency services descended on Sandbrook Park shopping centre just outside of the town centre at around 4.30am this morning (17 July) after reports of a concern for the welfare of a person.

No further details about the nature of the incident have been released at this stage. Greater Manchester Police have been approached for more information.

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In a statement on social media, the force said emergency services remain at the scene this morning, and have told the public to stay away from the area.

In a post on Twitter, GMP said: "At around 4.30am on Monday 17 July, police were called by the ambulance service responding to a report of concern for the welfare of a person on land near Sandbrook Park.

"Emergency services remain at the scene and members of the public should avoid the area."

This is a breaking news story and will be updated accordingly.

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GMP said they were conctacted by the North West Ambulance Service in the early hours of this morning.

NWAS have been approached for more information.

Retail outlets inside the park include:

The Trade Centre UK

Subway

McDonald's

Odeon

Pizza Hut

Tenpin

KFC

Pure Gym

Costa Coffee

Police have cordoned off Sandbrook retail park this morning due to an ongoing incident.

No further details about the nature of the incident have been released at this stage.

Greater Manchester Police have been approached for more information.

A reporter and photographer are heading to the