A gang of suspected car thieves rammed a police vehicle and threw tools at officers during a dramatic chase.
A monkey wrench, bolt cutters, and and blocks of metal, were hurled at officers in an unmarked car from GMP's elite Tactical Vehicle Intercept Unit.
In a dramatic six minute chase a stolen silver Volvo Estate on false number plates was pursued from Salford into Manchester.
The Volvo reached speeds of 80mph through residential districts.
The force helicopter, and armed response team, and dog unit, were also deployed and four suspects arrested. It is believed the gang had been targeting retail and commercial premises to commit crimes.
The incident began at 1.30am on Tuesday when TVIU officers covertly followed a car suspected of being linked to a previous incident of attempted theft.
They asked the driver of the stolen Volvo Estate, which was being driven of false number plates to stop.
But it drove off at speed from Pendleton roundabout. As it did one suspect was hanging out the window threatening police with a monkey wrench - which was later thrown at the pursuing police car.
Later a set of bolt cutters were thrown from the car on Great Cheetham Street West.
The Volvo was finally stopped in Levenhurst Road in Cheetham Hill and those on board fled on foot.
A TVIU unmarked Golf suffered minor damage.
Greater Manchester Police said in a statement: "As officers were pursuing the car, the driver rammed the police car and the occupants inside brandished weapons towards the pursuing officers.
"The offenders threw items at the officers during the pursuit and when they eventually abandoned the vehicle, they discarded the weapons and made off on foot.
"With the support of the police helicopter, firearms officers and the dog unit all four males were detained in a housing estate situated off Waterloo Road, Crumpsall.
"Following a search of the vehicle, a number of weapons were found in the boot of the offenders' car.
"Four men – a 23-year-old, 27 year-old, 29 year-old and a 28-year-old – were arrested on suspicion of theft of motor vehicle, attempted section 18 assault, affray and criminal damage."
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Between March 2019 and March this year £6.6m worth of stolen vehicles were recovered by GMP.
But many end up in chop shops being dismantled and sold for parts as part of a global crime industry. Others are exported complete in shipping containers.
Sgt Danny Kabal of GMP's TVIU, said: "In terms of identifying what vehicles Organised Crime Groups are taking, it is very difficult to do this. The reason being, different OCG's prefer different vehicles.
"Some take 'hypos' (high performance) cars to commit serious crimes such as armed robberies and aggravated burglaries. They go for vehicles such as S3's, Golf R's, Merc AMG's etc…
"Other teams prefer less blingy cars to blend in with the general public when committing day time burglaries and thefts.
"There are also teams who steal cars to order and they vary drastically - they will literally take anything that is in demand from the UK or global criminal market."
