Huge 'armed' police response after 'knife-wielding man threatens people in street'

'Armed police' swooped on a block of flats after a man was seen 'threatening people with a knife', according to residents.

Police rushed to the scene at Spring Gardens, Atherton, at around 2.30pm on Tuesday afternoon after a man was spotted wielding a 'two foot-long' blade, say tenants.

A number of armed police officers reportedly attended the incident and 'apprehended' the man.

Police appear to be armed in the footage from the scene (Paul Emmison)

In video footage from the incident, a number of officers, two of whom appear to be armed, arrive at Spring Gardens.

There appears to be six police cars visible in the footage, including two 4x4s.

Eyewitnesses say there was a 'huge armed response' (Paul Emmison)

One eyewitness, resident Paul Emmison, told the Manchester Evening News : "Around 2.30pm, we heard a lot of shouting and sirens going off.

"We went round and it was swarming with armed officers.

A number of police cars were seen in Spring Gardens and appear on the footage from an eyewitness (Paul Emmison)

"At least 12 firearms officers attended the situation where a man was threatening people with a machete-type knife, at least two foot-long. I saw a officer put it in his car.

"We came away as they apprehended the bloke."

No ambulances are understood to have attended the scene.

Greater Manchester Police have been approached for comment.