Police released more than 20 people from inside a Counterfeit Street shop after a young boy told them his mum was trapped inside.
Greater Manchester Police says its officers had been seen patrolling the Strangeways area by 'spotters' - who are regularly seen loitering on the look-out for cops. The spotters then told the owners of an illegitimate shop on Harris Street, off Bury New Road, that police were in the area.
At around 3pm on Tuesday (January 3), GMP says its officers were stopped by a 'panicked' boy, who said his mum had been locked inside the shop. Officers forced entry under section 17 - an emergency warrant that is granted to preserve life - and rescued the mum along with 20 other people who had been trapped inside by shopkeepers spooked by the nearby officers.
