Threats were made by a suspect with a blade at a business in Radcliffe sparking an armed police responseJames Holt Senior Live and Breaking News Reporter and Charlotte Fisher
19:59, 30 Mar 2026Updated 21:04, 30 Mar 2026
Families with children were ‘yards away’ from officers pointing guns at a building during a dramatic swoop in Bury on Monday afternoon (March 30).
Armed police and counter-terrorism firearms cops descended on Stand Lane in Radcliffe at around 2.15pm following reports of a ‘disturbance’. It is understood this was an argument at a massage parlour that then escalated involving an armed suspect.
Greater Manchester Police said it was reported that threats were made by a suspect who was in possession of a blade. The area was taped off for a number of hours amid the major response. The suspect was detained just before 9pm after over six hours of negotiations.
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Witnesses told of how armed police and counter-terror cops were ‘yards away’ from families picking children up from nearby schools and nurseries and that officers with shields were aiming guns at windows of Sunflower Massage, close to the junction with Jackson Street.
Threats were made by a suspect with a blade at a business in Radcliffe sparking an armed police response(Image: Kenny Brown / Manchester Evening News)
Greater Manchester Police later confirmed that the incident was being treated as ‘isolated’ and not counter-terrorism related. Investigations remain ongoing. Pictures showed a huge police response, including vans and Tactical Aid Unit vehicles, along with ambulances.
Officers could be seen stationed outside the massage parlour, which has a tenanted flat upstairs. Witnesses said other armed cops swooped around the back of the property.
Counter-terrorism firearms officers at the scene(Image: Kenny Brown / Manchester Evening News)
Speaking of the ordeal, Frieda Ehsan, the landlady of the massage parlour, told the M.E.N: “It was just before 3pm and my tenant messaged me and said ‘boss, I’m in a bit of a mess here because a guy’s come in and I need your husband to come down.’
“I said to ring 999 and she did, then as soon as I came down, it had all been cordoned off.
READ MORE: In pictures: Armed officers and counter-terror cops seal off area amid incident in Bury
“They said we can go back in once they get the guy out and check the property. First of all, I am just glad the tenant is safe, that was my main concern. I am not bothered about my property, but I am happy she is with police.
“I just live round the corner. I’ve been around here for 24 years but we’ve never come across anything like this. We own quite a few properties on Stand Lane, but we’ve never come across. this.”
A large scene was put in place amid the major response(Image: Kenny Brown / Manchester Evening News)
The director of the nearby M-Star Mercedes specialist garage told the M.E.N. of the moment armed officers arrived at the scene earlier in the afternoon. “I stood watching and we were there before a lot of the police turned up, then it gathered more momentum as more and more police arrived,” he said.
“The police were going around the back of the building and pointing guns at the windows. The police drone was up as well. To begin with, the police weren’t ushering people away and there were a lot of people stood about, including with children.
“There were armed coppers behind shields and pointing their guns, but yards away there were people and children in shot of them. It was all very strange. Then more and more police turned up, and Tactical Aid ambulances with cameras, and then we realised it was more serious.”
Another nearby resident, who has lived in the area for around five years, added: “It’s just not what you expect to see when you’re driving home from work. You’ve got fire and armed response units. It’s frightening and makes you worried to live in the area.
The incident was described as ‘frightening'(Image: Kenny Brown / Manchester Evening News)
“The worry is not knowing what’s going on. I’d rather they’d just tell us what it is and tell us to stay inside but instead we don’t know what’s happening. It’s all just rumours at this point.”
The scene remained in place for a number of hours on Monday amid investigations. As of 7.30pm, police said no arrests had been made but that those involved were safe.
“We are responding to an incident on Stand Lane, Radcliffe following reports of a disturbance at around 2:15pm,” a GMP spokesperson said. “It was reported that threats were being made at an address and the suspect is believed to have been in possession of a bladed weapon.
“Thankfully, those at the property managed to get a place of safety and no injuries have been reported. No arrests have been made and our officers are on scene to manage any potential risk.
“We can also confirm that this is an isolated incident and is not being treated as counter terrorism related. Enquiries are ongoing at this time.”