A passenger has described the dramatic moment '20 to 30' armed police stormed his train in the hunt for two men believed to be carrying weapons at Manchester Victoria.
Police were called to the busy city centre station at 9:14am following reports of two men carrying weapons on a train. The Manchester Evening News understands the affected train was a TransPennine Express service from Liverpool Lime Street to Leeds.
Armed officers raided the train in a 'tense' encounter, 'shouting' at passengers to remove headphones as they searched - while more officers carrying guns and shields surrounded the train on the platform.
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The passenger, who wished to remain anonymous, said the train pulled into Manchester Victoria 'as normal' - but he quickly knew something was wrong as he spied three armed officers on the platform with 'guns trained in front of them'.
"That initial shock was there," he told the M.E.N. "Then as I looked around, mirroring them on the platform were another group of four with the bulletproof shield and weapons out."
He said the officers 'shouted' at passengers to remove all earphones and remain seated, while checking on and under every seat. The passenger estimated there were 'between 20 and 30' armed officers present as the train was searched.
"The toilet was occupied and they demanded it be opened," he said, in what was described as a 'tense' moment on the train as travellers and police waited for the door to open. However, the toilet was occupied by a member of rail staff, and the search continued.
"As quick as they [police] came through the carriage another group came behind them," he said. "The station was cleared and I started to realised no other trains had come in and the platforms were empty."
In the station, commuters were forced to evacuate after armed officers entered through multiple access points and cleared the entire station. Tony, who was one of the people rushed out, said he felt 'on edge' and had 'no idea' what was happening.
"It didn't feel like a drill," he said. "It felt real. It does put you on edge. I saw them [police] all come running in, I've been here for drills before and this felt different. We were evacuated for around 45 minutes. Nobody told us what was happening."
Another eyewitness said they saw armed police entering the station through one of the exits closest to the ticket barriers, before 'congregating' at that end of the station and running up the stairs towards platforms four and five.
"Some of them were armed and some of them had shields," he told the M.E.N. "They weren't messing around. We were asked to leave and the entire station was shut off to the public."
In a statement, a British Transport Police spokesperson said: "Officers were called to Manchester Victoria station at 9.14am today (12 October) following reports of two men possibly carrying weapons on a train service.
"Armed police attended and conducted a full search of the train and area, however there was no trace of the two men. The report was made in good faith and enquiries are ongoing."
TransPennine Express has been contacted for comment.
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