Police have cordoned off the Piccadily Gardens area in Central Manchester with blue tape and scene guards and are urging the public not to approach the Gardens after a suspicious package is being dealt with by professionals. The cordon covers McDonalds, Piccadilly Gardens, and part of a tram station, the Manchester Evening News reports. One man aged 26 has been detained by police who have indicated another suspicious package was found in a Manchester library today.

According to speculation on social media it is a viable device and no details of the suspect have yet been released. One person tweeted: “I’ve never seen anything like it – the whole of Piccadilly Gardens has been closed and cordoned off due to a suspicious package.”

Greater Manchester Police stated that the incident could be related to the evacuation of Oldham Library, which was also evacuated due to a suspicious package being found there also.

A spokesperson has said:

A cordon remains in place in Piccadilly Gardens after reports of a suspicious package were made. A man aged 26 has now been formally arrested and is in custody.

Assessors, along with the fire service, will be attending to establish if the item is viable. Transport links including the Metrolink have been affected as a result of the cordon.

As part of enquiries, Oldham Library has also been evacuated after reports of a suspicious device found there. Officers are keeping an open mind and are exploring the possibility the incidents are linked.”

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