A man has been detained at a hospital in Greater Manchester after he claimed to be carrying a weapon. Police descended on Rochdale Infirmary this afternoon after reports of a "firearms incident".
Greater Manchester Police have since confirmed that the man was not carrying a weapon, and arrested him on suspicion of a public order offence.
The force said reports made on social media about a potential 'hostage' situation were not true. Pictures from the scene show a number of people - including staff and patients - gathered outside an entrance to the hospital on Whitehall Street in the town's centre this afternoon (10 May). READ MORE:Drunk caused £20k of damage trying to break into Louis Vuitton display at Selfridges According to several witnesses, security at the hospital escorted patients out of the building following the incident.
One woman posted on Facebook: "I've just left there, the security ran us out for a firearms incident. Another woman said: "I was escorted out too he was in the same queue as me about four people behind me." The Northern Care Alliance have been contacted for comment.
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