Shocking moment man wielding a MACHETE sprints past terrified passers-by in the centre of Manchester

  • The man wielding the weapon ran past frightened people wielding the weapon 
  • Business owners claim that crime and disorder in the area is ‘out of control’
  • An 18-year-old was later arrested as police propose to survey trouble spots 

By Claire Anderson For Mailonline

Published: 20:27 BST, 21 August 2018 | Updated: 20:56 BST, 21 August 2018

This is the terrifying moment a man armed with a huge machete ran through the streets of Manchester city centre.

The man ran past frightened passersby around 1.30pm yesterday in the Chinatown district of the city. 

Business owners claim crime and disorder in the area ‘is out of control’. 

Greater Manchester Police said officers carried out searches following reports of a man armed with a blade and an 18-year-old man was later arrested.

The force has since confirmed that no-one was injured but enquiries into exactly what happened are ongoing, police added.

Witnesses saw a man being apprehended, handcuffed and put into a police van on Nicholas Street.

An 18-year-old was arrested for running through Manchester city centre with a machete

An 18-year-old was arrested for running through Manchester city centre with a machete

In June, business owners and residents in Chinatown said they were facing constant issues with drug dealing, violence and anti-social behaviour.

There were 304 crimes recorded in the area in the first three months of 2018 – a 44 per cent increase on the same period in 2017, according to recent figures.

Around half of those crimes were categorised as anti-social behaviour.

Greater Manchester Police swarmed the scene after reports of a man with a weapon in the Chinatown district of the city

Greater Manchester Police swarmed the scene after reports of a man with a weapon in the Chinatown district of the city

Greater Manchester Police swarmed the scene after reports of a man with a weapon in the Chinatown district of the city

GMP said it was aware of the perception that parts of the city centre were dangerous and launched a three-day crackdown at trouble spots.

But business owners said more needed to be done and called for increased patrols and better surveillance. 

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