Armed police swoop on knifewoman in Wigan

Armed police cordoned off a Wigan street after a woman menaced emergency workers with a knife.

The drama unfolded when officers were called to Poplar Avenue, in Ashton, at around 11.30am today (April 28) to reports that emergency services staff had been threatened with the weapon.

Merseyside Police, who dealt with the incident, said a 45-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of affray and taken to hospital as a precaution.

Thankfully nobody was hurt in the incident.

Pictures from the scene showed several police vehicles at the junction of Poplar Avenue and Cedar Grove, which had been closed off.

Armed police could also be seen within a cordon which had been set up, while two ambulances were also on standby.

A number of police were also spotted patrolling the estate and guarding the cordon which had been put into place.

People living in the area also took to the streets to see what was going on.

One neighbour claimed the emergency services had been heavy-handed in their dealing with the incident which they said could have been avoided if they had been allowed to negotiate.

Describing the action, another eyewitness reported seeing armed police and residents gathering outside.

He said: “The road was shut on both sides.

“One side had a roundabout but all the activity was taking place on the other side around a bend.

“I saw an ambulance and two police cars.

“Then I saw a further three police cars from Merseyside, who must have been tactical/armed police but then they left the scene. There were lots of residents outside seeing what was going on.”

An ambulance service spokesman said: “We have attended an incident at a private address on Poplar Avenue following a call from the police at 10.42am.”

“So far, we have not taken anyone to hospital.”

A spokesman for Merseyside Police said: “Officers have arrested a woman after an incident in Ashton-in-Makerfield near Wigan today, Wednesday 28 April.

“At around 11.30am, police were called to an address on Poplar Avenue to reports that emergency services staff had been threatened with a knife.

“A 45-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of affray and taken to hospital as a precaution. No-one was hurt in the incident.”

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