Police are appealing for witnesses following an incident in Bolton on Saturday morning.
Officers were called to Middlebrook Drive in Lostock following reports that a man had approached a woman brandishing a reported firearm before walking away.
The woman was left unharmed but ‘understandably alarmed’.
Officers have since attended the scene and remain there while enquiries take place.
They are now trying to locate a man, described as white, aged over 30 and with blonde hair.
He was wearing grey pants and a hoodie alongside a blue surgical mask.
Police say they are also hoping to speak to anyone who was in the area at the time and may have information that can assist them with their investigation.
Chief Inspector Kate Atton, of Bolton CID, said: "We are currently trying to locate this man, who is described as white, aged over 30, around 5'5ins tall, with blonde hair and wearing a hoodie and grey pants.
“He was reported to have been wearing a blue surgical mask at the time of the incident.
“"We believe that this is an isolated incident at this time and we are currently following a number of lines of enquiry.
"Anyone who sees this man is asked to contact 999.
"Alternatively, anyone with information, or anyone who may have witnessed this incident is asked to contact 0161 856 5757, quoting reference number 1225 of the 18 September 2021."
