Radcliffe: Man charged after six-hour armed police stand-off

Emergency services, including armed police and the dogs unit, were called to Stand Lane on Monday, March 30, after receiving reports of a disturbance at around 2.15pm.

Pictures and videos, taken by Phil Taylor, showed armed police outside Sunflower Massage, and a woman, who claimed to be the landlady of the building, said she received a call from a person alerting her of a police presence.

Counter-terrorism police were initially said to be involved with the incident, before Greater Manchester Police confirmed it was not terror-related.

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(Image: SWNS/Phil Taylor)

Police were called to incident on Stand Lane, Radcliffe (Image: SWNS/Phil Taylor)

Motorists faced disruption throughout the day as Bury Council told drivers to “find alternative routes”, with Stand Lane closed both ways from Radcliffe New Road to Thornley Street.

A reporter at the scene said a number of police gathered around the front of the shop before a “loud bang followed by a rush of police officers” led to a person being taken out and put in a van.

After “negotiations” with a suspect inside the property, Greater Manchester Police said a 26-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of making threats with a bladed article.

The force has now confirmed that Ben Mason, 26, of Bury, has been charged with two counts of breaching the Public Order Act and has been bailed pending further inquiries.

He will appear at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on July 27.