Manchester incident: Men released as police find suspicious items in car 'not terrorism-related'

Police investigating potential criminal offences after replica police uniform and baton found in car

(PA)

Two men initially arrested on suspicion of terror offences in Manchester have been released after police found the incident was not related to terrorism.

The pair were seen acting suspiciously wearing balaclavas in Salford before officers stopped their Range Rover in Deansgate on Wednesday afternoon.

Greater Manchester Police sent a bomb disposal squad to investigate “suspicious items” in the vehicle, as the busy road was shut down, but they were found to pose no danger to the public.

The objects included replicas of a police uniform, police baton and utility belt.

Police said the suspects, two local white men aged 57 and 22, “were initially uncooperative at the scene and failed to provide a reasonable explanation for their behaviour”.

The pair were initially questioned on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.

They have since been released from custody without charge following a search of a home in Stream Terrace, Offerton.

“Following a thorough investigation of the circumstances, police are satisfied that the incident was not terrorism-related,” a spokesperson added.

“Enquiries as to whether non-terrorism-related offences were committed are ongoing.”

Assistant Chief Constable Nick Bailey thanked members of the public who alerted police and urged people to remain vigilant.

“Currently, police are treating this as irresponsible behaviour that has quite rightly been reported as suspicious by members of the public,” he added.

The incident came weeks after a man stabbed shoppers at Manchester’s Arndale centre.

The suspect was detained under the Mental Health Act over the incident, which was investigated by counterterror police.

The offence of preparing acts of terrorism is used against both alleged attack plotters and people who attempt to join Isis and other banned groups abroad.

Of the 22 terror plots foiled since the Westminster attack in March 2017, 15 were Islamist-inspired and seven were far right.