Feb 25 • 10:11 UTC 🇬🇧 UK Guardian

Man arrested for entering Manchester mosque allegedly carrying weapon

A man was arrested for allegedly entering Manchester Central Mosque with an axe and acting suspiciously, prompting a swift police response and evacuation of worshippers.

In a concerning incident at Manchester Central Mosque, police arrested a man in his 40s after he reportedly entered the mosque wielding an axe. Witnesses described the suspect as acting suspiciously on Tuesday evening, which led to immediate action from other attendees. Four individuals managed to subdue the suspect before police arrived, demonstrating a quick collective response in a potentially dangerous situation. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported during this episode despite the chaotic scene.

According to the reports, approximately 5,000 worshippers were present at the mosque when the incident occurred. The swift evacuation request by witnesses, followed by the rapid arrival of about 15 police cars, highlights the serious nature of the threat perceived by those inside the mosque. The police received reports around 8:40 PM of two men acting suspiciously, leading to their prompt deployment to the mosque location.

The suspect was arrested on suspicion of carrying an offensive weapon as well as possession of class B drugs, indicating the complexities of the situation as it may relate to broader issues of public safety and community security. While one man has been taken into custody, authorities are still searching for the second individual involved and are urging members of the public to come forward with any information about the events that transpired during the emergency response to this alarming incident.

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