A major counter-terrorism operation unfolded across Greater Manchester this weekend, with police cordoning off areas in both the city centre and Salford as part of a coordinated investigation.
Authorities have confirmed that a significant police presence on Lancaster Road in Salford on Sunday was directly linked to the arrest of two men in Manchester city centre earlier that afternoon. The men were taken into custody under Section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000 following an intervention by Counter Terrorism Policing officers on Newton Street in the Northern Quarter.
The operation, which began around 2:45 p.m. on Sunday (September 20), saw Newton Street swarmed by police, with a large cordon remaining in place throughout the evening. Simultaneously, residents in Salford faced significant disruption as police established a 100-meter cordon on Lancaster Road, near its junction with Eccles Old Road and Cholmondeley Road.
Photographs from the scene on Lancaster Road showed multiple Tactical Aid Unit (TAU) vans and a heavy concentration of officers and police vehicles. Nearby Voltaire Avenue was also blocked off, as law enforcement secured the area as part of the broader, ongoing inquiry.
In an update provided on Monday morning, a spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police officially linked the two scenes, confirming that the activity in Salford was a continuation of the investigations that prompted the arrests in the city centre. The operation was led by Counter Terrorism Policing London, with support from Counter Terrorism Policing North West and local officers.
While the scale of the police response caused significant alarm for local residents, officials have moved to reassure the public that there is no wider threat. In a statement, a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said, “At this time, there is no information to suggest any wider threat to the public. We understand that activity of this nature may cause concern and, alongside local forces, we remain committed to providing reassurance, protective security advice, and support to communities.”
The two men remain in police custody for questioning. Due to the sensitivities surrounding an ongoing investigation, authorities have declined to provide further details regarding the specific nature of the probe.
Counter Terrorism Policing has urged the public to remain vigilant. Anyone who notices suspicious activity is encouraged to report it via the official government portal at gov.uk/ACT or by contacting the Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321.
Police presence at the affected sites was scaled back throughout Monday, though investigators continue to work closely with local policing partners to conclude the inquiry. Residents are advised to monitor official channels for any further updates as the situation evolves.
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