Two police officers were hurt during an operation to tackle a machete gang caught breaking into an industrial unit last night.
It is understood one was saved by his body armour.
Police - later joined by armed cops - swooped on Riverpark Industrial Estate close to the Etihad stadium in east Manchester late on Wednesday night following reports men were breaking into one of the units with crowbars.
When the unarmed officers arrived, they were confronted by masked men armed with machetes, bats and an axe, and a car with the keys in the ignition.
READ MORE: Woman fighting for life after being hit by car while crossing the road
At first the gang locked themselves inside the unit but later made a run for it, Greater Manchester Police confronted.
It prompted a huge manhunt involving the police helicopter and armed police.
Two police officers suffered minor injuries in the pursuit.
It is understood one was attacked with a machete but was saved by his body armour.
The drama started at about 9.50pm when officers were called to reports of a break-in that was in progress in one of the industrial units off Briscoe Lane in Newton Heath.
After the gang made a run for it, one suspect was arrested nearby on Bamford Street while another was pounced on by armed cops who had pursued him in a car.
A third man was arrested on the railway tracks.
Officers from the Specialist Operations Unit and armed police joined divisional cops, who were first on the scene.
A statement from GMP said three men - aged 22, 33 and 39 - were arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary, section 18 assault and wounding with intent.
They remain in police custody on Thursday afternoon and were being interviewed by detectives.
Following last night's drama, Chief Inspector Gareth Levitt-Jones, of GMP's city of Manchester division, said: "Officers from across several GMP branches carried out a swift and successful response to a potentially dangerous situation with two officers being injured in the process.
"As a result, we have three people in custody being questioned on suspicion of a range of offences."
Anyone with information is asked to contact Greater Manchester Police quoting 2850 of 02/02/2022 or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
