Officers were called to the scene following reports of a disturbance
Police at the scene on Ashton Old Road(Image: Wayne Brooks)
A man has been charged after cars were attacked with a shovel on a main road in east Manchester on Monday (December 1).
Officers from Greater Manchester Police were called to reports of a disturbance on Ashton Old Road in the Openshaw area at around 3.30pm. A 42-year-old man was found to be attacking vehicles with the hand tool.
Part of the incident was filmed as emergency crews responded. Greater Manchester Police said the offender had attempted to injure a police officer, leading to a taser being deployed in order to arrest him.
In an update, the force said that Scott Atkinson, 42, has been charged with attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent to do grievous bodily harm, affray and criminal damage. He has been remanded to appear at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (December 3).
Atkinson has also been charged with five further offences in relation to a separate incident in Salford, also on Monday. These are failure to stop after a road accident; false imprisonment; theft from a person; driving a motor vehicle without a licence and grievous bodily harm with intent.
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: “On Monday 1 December, officers responded to reports of a disturbance on Ashton Old Road, Manchester at around 3:30pm.
“Officers attended the scene where a 42-year-old man was attacking cars with a shovel. Thankfully, nobody was injured during this incident.
“The offender had attempted to injure a police officer, leading to a taser being successfully deployed to minimise risk and protect the wider public.”