These shocking images show the moment police pulled a knife from a young girl in Piccadilly Gardens.
The photographs were snapped by an eyewitness who saw the incident unfold outside Cafe Nero on Sunday afternoon.
It is understood the teenager was walking with a group of girls through Piccadilly Gardens when a police officer ran over to her at around 3pm.
The officer asked for her to get onto the floor and was then joined by another two officers.
Witnesses said she was restrained on the ground before officers pulled a large kitchen knife from her body.
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The girl can be seen being handcuffed in the images.
Jon Barton, an eyewitness, said: "This copper ran over to this girl and shouted at her to get down on the floor.
"She said 'What have I done?' then two other coppers came from nowhere and pulled this knife off her."
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He added: "It was just a young girl walking with a couple of mates. It is not something you would think about.
"I thought blimey I didn't expect that to happen."
Greater Manchester Police have been contacted for a comment.
