Why you will see lots of police in Manchester city centre today

Police and other emergency services are taking part in a training exercise in Manchester city centre today (Monday 28 February.)

The training sessions are designed to prepare 999 services for real-life scenarios.

GMP confirmed on Monday that the large emergency services presence would be a ‘mock scenario’, to prevent any concern that it was connected to a real incident.

The exercise was carried out at the AO Arena, with cordons and multiple police vehicles spotted outside. However GMP says it was not an anti-terror exercise.

Inspector Edward Goss, of GMP’s Specialist Operation Branch, said: “It is really important for police officers and staff, alongside partner agencies, to be given opportunities to test the response to incidents and emergencies like this. “Exercises support our value to be a learning organisation which delivers outstanding service whilst keeping people safe and caring for victims. “I would like to use this opportunity to thank members of the public who were in the area at the time for their cooperation. I would also like to thank our partner agencies, particularly the AO Arena, for their involvement in this exercise.”