This is the moment screaming shoppers were cleared out of the Arndale Centre after a security alert.
A on Friday afternoon after youths were 'causing anti-social behaviour towards security staff' on the second floor of the shopping centre.
Shoppers inside the centre could be seen screaming and running out of the doors as police moved people away.
A GMP spokesperson said: "Police are currently dealing with an ongoing incident at the Arndale in Manchester.
"A large group of youths were causing anti-social behaviour towards security staff on the second floor.
"The food court has been cleared and the group are slowly being dispersed out of the main entrance.
"There is currently a heavy police presence to ensure the safety of other members of the public."
There's no indication that the incident was terror-related.
Eyewitness Feroze Bilal claimed that he was yards away when some kind of “chemical” was released, causing “panicked” scenes in the shopping centre.
He told the M.E.N: “It was on the top floor of the Arndale near to Next and I saw a group of youths - lads and girls.
“Then some kind of chemical was let off and people started running.
“I could feel it, it was irritating and I was coughing and sneezing.
"People started running, it was quite a panicked situation.
“Police and security got people out of there.
“We got out onto Exchange Square - the trams have stopped running there and there are lots of police vehicles and some ambulances.”
Other eyewitnesses have also claimed that they saw pepper spray being used by police - but this has not been confirmed by GMP.
One man said he saw a 'riot van, four police cars and an ambulance' outside the Arndale.
Metrolink have cancelled services at Exchange Square.
They tweeted: "Due to a police incident at Exchange Square, Rochdale, Shaw and East Didsbury Services are operating via Market Street. No services are operating via Exchange Square. We apologise for any inconvenience caused."
Get breaking news first on the free Manchester Evening News app - download it here for your Apple or Android device. You can also get a round-up of the biggest stories sent direct to your inbox every day with the MEN email newsletter - subscribe here . And you can follow us on Facebook here .
