ARMED OFFICERS have arrested a man at gunpoint at the junction of Thomas Street and Tib Street in the Northern Quarter.
"Some had guns pointed directly at him as he sat on the road with his knees up to his chest."
At around 10am on Monday 28 July police vehicles surrounded what appears to be a silver BMW on Thomas Street and demanded that the driver exit and kneel on the road, according to eyewitness reports.
One eyewitness stood at the scene told Confidential:
"A number of police jeeps and a police van blocked the car in. Then there were around ten to fifteen officers surrounding the man. Some had guns pointed directly at him as he sat on the road with his knees up to his chest.
(video credit Brodie Carson of Mercury Field)
"At first I thought they were filming for TV or film, because there looked to be a film crew at the nearby Superstore restaurant, but then when they started shouting and moving people back I realised it was real.
"The man was arrested and taken away by police vehicle. A few officers were left at the scene. Two of them were going over the car with blue gloves."
Confidential released this statement from Greater Manchester Police:
"A man has been arrested after armed officers stopped a car in Manchester city centre.
"At about 10am on 28 July 2014, officers from Greater Manchester Police's Tactical Aid Unit (TAU) stopped a silver BMW on Tib Street, Manchester city centre.
"A man has been arrested on suspicion of section 18 assault and remains in police custody for questioning.
"No-one was injured during the incident."
Appears to be a particularly heavy-handed response for a section 18 assault, or 'wounding with intent'. We've asked Greater Manchester Police for further information. We'll keep you updated.
Armed police on Thomas Street
Police search car following arrest
