Overview
- Police received a report of a suspicious male at 11:52am on March 20 in Mandley Park, Higher Broughton, triggering a large armed deployment with snipers and a helicopter.
- Officers quickly established the man was exercising in a weighted gym vest and carrying a skipping rope, confirming no explosive device and no risk to the wider community.
- The man, a father in his 40s, said he complied with commands, was taken to a station for a short time, and was released with no further action.
- Community Security Trust was on site during the response, and local representative groups later thanked police as reassurance patrols continued in the area.
- Images and videos circulating online falsely claimed the man wore a suicide vest or had a bomb before authorities issued factual updates.