Armed police units were deployed to Manchester Metropolitan University after a report of a student carrying a suspected sword.
The incident, reported by The Manchester Evening News, occurred when the student left a theatre rehearsal with a fake sword, which a witness mistakenly believed was real.
Manchester Police responded to the scene on Grosvenor Street and swiftly confirmed that the “sword” was merely a wooden theatrical prop. The situation was quickly de-escalated, and the police stood down without further issues.
University officials and security staff worked with the police to clarify the misunderstanding, ensuring a peaceful resolution. Footage from the scene showed a substantial police response, which caused temporary concern among onlookers. The university later confirmed it was a false alarm, and operations have returned to normal.
This incident comes at a time of heightened sensitivity about knife-related crimes in the UK. Recently, a sword attack in London resulted in the tragic death of a 14-year-old boy, intensifying public and police concerns about blade violence. Following that incident, a 36-year-old man was arrested in the Hainault district after police used a Taser to subdue him.
