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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Neal Keeling

Man detained under Mental Health Act after police car attacked at Oldham station

A man arrested in the grounds of Oldham Police Station has been detained under the Mental Health Act.

The 31-year-old had previously been arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences.

Shortly before 10pm on Tuesday, January 4, an officer about to go on patrol in his police car saw a man who had entered the station car park.

The man reportedly ran at the vehicle and attack it while making threats to the officers inside.

Officers tasered and detained a 31-year-old man who was initially taken to custody on suspicion of criminal damage, assault of a police officer, and being found on enclosed premises.

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He was subsequently rearrested the following day under the Terrorism Act by detectives from Counter Terrorism Policing North West.

The incident has not been declared as terrorism.

Earlier today (Thursday, January 6) the suspect was detained under section two of the Mental Health Act allowing him to be assessed in the care of mental health professionals for the next 28 days.

He has been released without charge in relation to the terrorism arrest, and is on bail while further enquiries continue into the initial suspected offences.

Streets around Oldham Police Station were cordoned off on Tuesday evening after the incident in the station car park (STEVE ALLEN)

Detectives so far believe from their investigation that this was "an isolated incident, with no wider threat to the public."

In a statement, they said: "Thankfully, no officers were physically injured during the incident but were left understandably shaken and have received our support".

Detective Supt William Chatterton of CT Police North West, said: "We've conducted swift enquiries ever since this incident was brought to our attention, and currently believe that this was a spontaneous and isolated incident with no wider threat to the public.

"Following an assessment in custody, it's appropriate at this time to release the man without charge for the terrorism concern so that he can be assessed by specialists under the Mental Health Act for 28 days to ensure he has the necessary professional care available.

"As ever with these kinds of investigations, we are keeping an open mind and are ensuring that every line of enquiry is pursued - and we continue to ask the public to report any suspicious activity via http://gov.uk/ACT; in an emergency always call 999."

Oldham Police Station (STEVE ALLEN)

The incident resulted in a huge cordon being erected in Oldham town centre on Tuesday evening.

During it police were alerted to a car near the police station car park with a 'suspicious item' inside.

Emergency services cordoned off areas close the station for the safety of the public.

The car was inspected by specialist search officers as people were told to leave the area but it was later found to not contain any items of concern.

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