Reports of man 'wandering around' with huge 'hunting knife' as children were leaving school

A man was reportedly arrested after being seen 'wandering around' with a huge 'hunting knife' as children were leaving school on Thursday afternoon (October 19).

One witness claimed the man was seen 'loitering' outside a row of shops on Waterhead, off Huddersfield Road in Oldham, before officers appeared at the scene at around 3.30pm.

Photos from the scene show a number of officers in attendance, with one recovering what appears to be a large knife. At least two police vehicles were pictured in a nearby car park responding to the incident.

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According to witnesses, the man was 'dawdling' around the shops for a while in a dressing gown before a local store worker called the police and he was bundled into the back of a van.

"He was hanging around and wandering up and down the street with a dressing gown on," one worker told the M.E.N. "It seemed off so we were keeping an eye on him because the school children were coming out. When the police came, we were watching and they pulled out this huge knife - he must have had it up his sleeve."

Greater Manchester Police have been approached for further details.