‘Backpack’ sparks major response in Fallowfield with bomb disposal units evacuating homes

People were urged to leave their homes as explosives specialists descended on the scene

A backpack sparked a major emergency response with bomb disposal units called out to the scene in Fallowfield, the M.E.N understands. Residents were evacuated from their homes amid the incident on Abram Close on Saturday night (June 6).

The residential street was taped off and became a scene busy with emergency services, including fire crews, ambulances and army bomb disposal experts, following the report made at around 6pm.

Around 20 neighbouring properties were advised to evacuate, with residents not allowed to return home until around 11pm. One resident described seeing a bomb disposal robot being sent into the property with investigations focussed around a front garden.

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A cordon remained in place into the early hours of Sunday morning. It’s now understood this followed reports of a backpack containing bottles filled with an unknown substance. Investigations into the incident remain ongoing.

Greater Manchester Police confirmed on Sunday that the scene had been stood down with a full investigation underway. No further details have been released.

One resident described seeing a bomb disposal robot being sent into the property. He said: “I’m a bit nervous about what’s going on right now. This is quite a peaceful neighbourhood. This community is really tiny.”

Another eyewitness told the Manchester Evening News: “I was going to my sister’s and they were telling everyone to evacuate out of the streets. They would not let us through and they started to put a cordon up. Everybody was told to go back. They pushed everyone back. There are loads of fire crews and ambulances here.”

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police confirmed officers were called to a ‘suspicious item in a front garden’ shortly after 6.05pm. One eye witness told the Manchester Evening News: “I was going to my sister’s and they were telling everyone to evacuate out of the streets. They would not let us through and they started to put a cordon up.

In an update on Sunday, the force added: “The scene has been stood down, package safely removed and an investigation is ongoing into the full circumstances.”