Armed police pinned down a suspect and found two grenades in his bag as a series of raids uncover more bombs and three guns.
Plain-clothes officers were pictured pointing their weapons at a cyclist after he was forced off his mountain bike and pushed face down into the road.
Inside his rucksack they found two hand grenades, prompting a large bomb scare in Stretford, Greater Manchester.
Around 400 residents were evacuated from their homes on Friday afternoon as a result.
Police officers found two hands grenades inside a suspect’s rucksack after forcing him off his bike and pinning him to the ground in Stretford, Greater Manchester
It comes as Greater Manchester Police launched a series of raids across the city which uncovered more bombs and guns
The Stretford incident prompted a bomb scare and around 400 residents were evacuated from their homes on Friday
The dramatic swoop was part of a series of raids across Stretford, Trafford, and Wythenshawe since the early hours of Thursday.
They are believed to be a part of a GMP investigation into the supply of firearms to crime gangs which has fuelled a recent spike in shootings. The operation is not terrorism-related.
So far, police have seized what they believe to be three guns and four hand grenades. Ballistics experts have been asked to confirm the finds.
Suspected class A and B drugs have also been seized and detectives believe they may have prevented a blood-bath.
Witnesses described the moment armed police arrested the cyclist as he was pedalling along on Friday afternoon.
One person, who did not wish to be named, said: ‘It was manic, crazy and surreal.
The dramatic swoop was part of a series of raids across Stretford, Trafford, and Wythenshawe since the early hours of Thursday
So far, police have seized what they believe to be three guns and four hand grenades. Ballistics experts have been asked to confirm the finds
‘He was riding up the street on his mountain bike and the police have screeched up.
‘They almost knocked him off his bike. Police officers jumped out of two cars and jumped on him and forced him to the floor. They were shouting “stay down”.
‘They had handguns and machine guns in his face. His bag was on the floor at the corner. They had obviously been watching him.’
Another resident said police pounced on the man while the rucksack was up against a nearby wall.
The army bomb squad was called to the scene and an estimated 400 homes were evacuated, with residents eventually allowed back into their homes late on Friday night.
Police have searched six properties – five of them in Stretford and one in Wythenshawe – and arrested nine suspects.
Four have been released while five men remain in custody and are being interviewed.
On Saturday morning, police, backed by army bomb disposal officers, swooped on a block of flats in Stretford.
The residents in about 60 flats in three blocks were evacuated and have been put up The Hilton Garden Inn, Hotel Football and at a Travelodge in Old Trafford.
They have been given food vouchers and told to hand over keys to sheds so police can search them.
One resident, a mother-of-two, said: ‘I just heard really loud banging. The police told us to “get out, it’s not safe”.
‘Then the bomb squad turned up.’
Detective Superintendent Danny Inglis, GMP’s Serious and Organised Crime Lead, said: ‘We appreciate there has been a significant police presence in the local area over the past couple of days which has no doubt caused disruption and we’d like to thank the community for their continued support and patience as our enquiries continue.
‘Due to the nature of the items that have been recovered, colleagues from the British Army are supporting us with our enquiries as it’s vital that we take all the necessary precautions to protect the public.
‘House searches remain ongoing at this time and a number of residents have been evacuated as a precaution.
‘We have worked closely with partners including Trafford council to ensure that this happened as quickly and safely as possible.
‘We will continue to provide updates as often as we can as our investigation progresses throughout the weekend.’
A spokesperson for Trafford council said: ‘Council staff worked closely with colleagues from the police and Trafford Housing Trust to safely evacuate residents to hotel accommodation last night.
‘Our staff are liaising with the evacuated residents again today to make sure they are provided with food and their welfare needs are being met.
‘We will also help them with moving back into their homes once it is safe to do so.’