Chaos as armed police called to Salford antiques roadshow as event held up by suspects ‘with BB gun’

Children were left in tears as the suspects demanded goods during the ‘terrifying’ attempted robbery

Armed police were called to an antiques event in Salford after the event was held up by three suspects ‘with a BB gun’. Officers raced to the Masonic Hall in Swinton on Wednesday (May 27) which was hosting the jewellery and antiques event throughout the day.

Witnesses saw a large police presence in the car park outside the venue on Hospital Road at around 11.30am, which was temporarily locked down. Those attending the event said three men barged in, one holding a gun, shouting ‘don’t move’. Children were said to be in tears.

Greater Manchester Police confirmed the suspects threatened those in attendance at the event and ‘demanded goods’. An altercation took place between one of the suspects and members of the public in attendance, in which a BB gun was recovered.

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“Three lads ran in,” one witness told the M.E.N. “One with a gun, one with a baseball bat, and then one who waited in the hallway. The guy with the gun shouted ‘don’t anyone move’.

“There was a guy buying gold and silver who jumped up, grabbed the guy with the gun and then shouted out to his mate, who hit his head with the bat. Then I ran at them, picked up a chair and threw it at the lad. Then they ran out.”

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The witness, who asked to remain anonymous, said the three suspects were wearing balaclavas and in all black clothing. “There were children crying, and old ladies,” he added.

Greater Manchester Police are appealing for information as they continue their investigations into the attempted robbery. One member of the public sustained a minor injury, and no arrests have yet been made after the suspects fled the scene.

Detective Inspector Paul Davies, from GMP’s Salford district, said: “This was a terrifying incident for those in attendance at the hall, and I want to commend the members of the public who acted incredibly bravely during this incident. We could easily have had more serious consequences, and I am glad that no-one was seriously injured.

“While only several hours have passed since this incident, we have launched a thorough investigation to establish the full circumstances, and I would urge anyone who has any information to please get in touch”

You can contact police via 101 or Live Chat at gmp.police.uk, quoting log 1334 of 27/05/26.