'Wanted' man pulls 'gun' on cops in Manchester city centre after 'trying to steal from Tesco'

A man was arrested after pointing a 'gun' at officers as he tried to flee, police said. Cops were called to Quay Street in Manchester city centre this afternoon after an alarm was activated at a business.

A man had tried to steal items from a Tesco store before fleeing. Greater Manchester Police said it was reported the man had a weapon.

When officers arrived, shortly after 12.15pm, the man 'pointed a firearm at them in an attempt to evade capture', the force said. The man, said to be in his 30s, was arrested shortly after, on suspicion of robbery; firearm offences; and for being wanted on recall to prison.

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GMP said the gun was later found to be an imitation firearm. The man is in police custody and is due to be questioned.

Assistant Chief Constable Rick Jackson of GMP said: “The responding officers did a brilliant job, their swift and decisive actions made sure that a potentially dangerous individual was apprehended. This is an isolated incident and although the weapon we recovered was an imitation, at the time, the responding officers were not meant to know this, as it looked like a viable firearm up close.

“I am pleased to report that no injuries were sustained to any member of the public or any of our officers. Our job is to keep you safe, and this is why we have specialist officers patrolling hotspot areas across the force.

"Our aim is to build trust and confidence in those who live and work in Greater Manchester, and I feel like our actions today have gone a long way towards doing that."