Bomb disposal experts were called to a residential street in Salford when a ‘suspicious item’ was found on the front seat of a parked car.
Police say the item was later identified as a smoke grenade by Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technicians.
Police say they believe four men - seen damaging a green Peugeot 206 parked on the road on Saturday - placed the grenade inside the vehicle.
Haig Avenue, in Cadishead, was partially cordoned off for much of the afternoon on Saturday (May 16) while bomb disposal experts worked to make the area safe.
A van marked with Royal Logistic Corps bomb disposal signage was parked up on the road.
Detectives have now launched an investigation and will send the device to specialist officers for forensic assessment.
No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing, Greater Manchester Police said.
A spokesman for the force said: “Police were called shortly after 11.35am on Saturday 16 May 2020 to reports of four men damaging a stationary car on Haig Avenue in the Cadishead area of Salford.
“Officers arrived and proceeded to inspect the damaged car – a green Peugeot 206 – and found what appeared to be a suspicious item on the front seat.
“EOD later attended the scene and secured the item, which is believed to have been a smoke grenade. It has been taken by detectives to be forensically assessed.
“Initial enquires have established that the four men who damaged the car are believed to have placed the item in it.
“No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing.”
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