A man has been arrested after a threat to kill a woman with a firearm was made in Radcliffe last night.

Shortly after 10.50pm on Thursday, police were called by a man outside Radcliffe police station, in Railway Street, claiming to have a pistol which he would use against anybody who approached him.

Officers attended and were approached by a woman who claimed a man had brandished a firearm and threatened to kill her. Officers at the scene then observed a man pulling what appeared to be a handgun from his pocket before ‘cocking it’.

A 55-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear and remains in custody for questioning.

The weapon involved in the incident was later found to be a BB gun.

Detective Inspector Caroline Ward, of GMP’s Bury Division, said: “Any incidents where a report of a firearm is made are taken extremely seriously and although in this case it turned out to be a BB gun, I understand this incident may have caused some concern to the people of Radcliffe.

“I hope the swift action taken to resolve this situation will assure the public that we will react quickly and do all we can to keep them safe.

“Incidents like this are extremely rare in Bury but I think this just goes to show that police officers never know exactly what they are going to face when they start their shift.”

Anybody with information should contact police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.