Brave officers and PCSO chase man with machete in Wigan

Yesterday afternoon (Thursday 9 May), we received several reports from members of the public that a group of men were armed with a machete in Wigan town centre.

Officers chased one suspect through town, and he was swiftly arrested at the bus station on suspicion of being in possession of a bladed article.

Two additional men, believed to be linked to the incident, were arrested nearby on Frog Lane on suspicion of being in possession of an offensive weapon.

Two knives have been recovered and we now have three men in custody.

Inspector Sam Davies from our Wigan district said: “This was a really frightening incident for the public, with local shops making the decision to lockdown for their safety.

“Thankfully, no members of the public were injured, and I am pleased to say all of our officers are safe. They unhesitatingly put themselves in harm’s way, and through their brave actions, all of the individuals we believe to have been involved were quickly arrested.

"I would also like to extend my thanks to a member of the public that sought to assist one officer in detaining a suspect at Wigan Bus Station. If they are reading this I would urge them to make contact so I could thank them in person for their actions.

“Additional officers remain in the area to provide reassurance to the public. If you have any concerns or questions, please do not hesitate to speak to them; they are there to help you.”