Explosion heard and weapon spotted on floor as 'suspicious device' found in Rochdale
manchestereveningnews.co.ukA huge blast echoed across Rochdale town centre this morning as the bomb squad carried out a controlled explosion on a 'suspicious device'.
A heavy emergency services response was sparked after the item was discovered at around 3am. A large cordon was put in place across a number of main roads as bomb disposal experts and police officers were scrambled to the scene.
Police said when they first arrived, officers were 'confronted' by a man with a weapon. A 17-year-old male was detained. He has since been arrested on suspicion of affray, possession of a bladed article and possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear.
He remains in custody to be quizzed by detectives. Pictures taken at the scene showed a robot focusing on an item near a bus stop on Manchester Road.
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