Police are investigating whether a 'suspicious item' which sparked a bomb scare in Oldham, was in fact a tracking device.
Officers taped off a large section of Arkwright Street in Chadderton shortly after 1.30pm on Thursday afternoon.
A bomb disposal unit was quickly deployed to the scene after the discovery of what police described as a suspicious item underneath a car.
The Royal Logistics Corps used a specialised robot to examine the item for a number of hours, before they deemed it to be safe.
"Bomb disposal officers have made an assessment of the item and have confirmed that it is not suspicious," GMP said in a statement.
The force confirmed there was no risk to the public, before removing the cordon shortly after 5pm on Thursday evening.
GMP could not confirm any further details about the item, but confirmed to the M.E.N they were investigating if it was a tracking device.
Enquires are believed to be ongoing.
A number of businesses had to be evacuated on Arkwright Street as police and bomb disposal experts carried out their investigations.
The area which was cordoned off was an industrial estate, which appeared to consist primarily of warehouses.
One member of staff from Arkwright Street Recycling Centre said: "It wasn't found at our place. It was on the other side of the road near the butty shop.
"We were told they found a tracking device underneath a women's car."
Pictures from the scene show a large emergency response, including officers from GMP and Greater Manchester Fire Service and the Royal Logistics Corps.
A bomb disposal robot could be seen moving across the street as it was deployed to assess the item in question.
An officer wearing a bomb suit, wearing blue gloves and carrying a black bag, could be seen making his way to examine the vehicle.
A spokesperson from GMP previously said: "Shortly before 1.30pm today (Thursday 4 February) police were called to Arkwright Street in Chadderton to reports that a suspicious item had been found underneath a car."
They later said: "EOD have made an assessment and the device has been confirmed as non-suspicious and there is no risk to the public."
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire Service said: "At around 2.30pm on Thursday 4 February two fire engines from Hollins and Chadderton fire stations were called to support colleagues from Greater Manchester Police at an incident on Arkwright Street, Oldham."
Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 9015 quoting incident number 1317 of 4/2/21, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
