GMP has launched an investigation and made an arrest after an urban explorer was able to get into a former police centre. Once inside, film and pictures were taken of evidence bags, a weapon, and details of suspects which had been left in the building.
The force says an investigation into an alleged burglary has begun after the posting of images and a 16-minute tour of the building on Facebook. The force says that all doors and windows on the vast complex were secure.
The post includes an image of a sheet of mugshots of suspects or convicted men; CCTV images of suspects; whiteboards with the names of police officers and their numbers; recovered stolen bikes, and boxes of cassettes. There is also one officer's GMP badge in a leather holder.
Rooms which the footage covers include a forensic response unit, equipped with expensive looking equipment, and a shooting range which still has cardboard cut-outs of "villains" with bullet holes in some. At one point a large blade is found with an evidence tag attached to it. In a final clip an evidence bag containing a bedsheet used by a prison inmate to take their own life is found.
More than 350 people have commented on the post. One says: "Wow some great pictures there. Bad they've left stuff like they have." Another person says: "OMG such expensive equipment left and so many things that could be in the wrong hands."
The Manchester Evening News is not naming the location of the building which is boarded-up and has been empty for many years. Concrete bollards have been erected to stop vehicles entering the yard.
In a statement Greater Manchester Police said: "We are aware of an incident of trespassing by a member of the public at one of our GMP sites which is in the process of being decommissioned. The incident in question and circumstances surrounding it are now subject to an investigation and enquiries are ongoing.
"We would like to remind members of the public that any attempts to break into the site and enter can amount to a criminal offence. As with any decommissioned and empty building site, there is also a potential risk to personal safety when attempting to gain access. Officers are present at the site and are prepared to take further action should any offences be committed.
"The premises in this footage is still owned by Greater Manchester Police. Prior to closure, the buildings were used by operational police officers and staff so, by nature, contained materials of evidential value. Once officers and staff were relocated, the buildings were fully secured.
"Since then, work has been ongoing to relocate the contents and complete the controlled decommissioning of the site – this process has been subject to significant delay due to the presence of asbestos and the serious health risk this poses to those who enter and interfere with the building. This afternoon, a man has been arrested on suspicion of burglary and remains in police custody for questioning."
