A KNIFE brandishing man was tasered after threatening Metrolink passengers and assaulting a PCSO at Bury Interchange this morning.

Police were called after a man armed with a knife was reported to be making threats on the Radcliffe Metrolink platform at around 10.30am.

After boarding a tram to Bury he continued to threaten passengers.

He then left the tram and assaulted a PCSO on patrol, before fleeing on foot towards the Mill Gate shopping centre.

Eyewitness reported seeing a person 'lay down on the crossing' covered with coats.

The female PCSO was taken to hospital with minor injuries.

Officers eventually caught up with the man in Bell Lane and tasered him before arresting him on suspicion of assault and affray.

The offender was found to have a knife and a screwdriver and remains in custody for questioning while enquiries are ongoing.

Superintendent Paul Walker, District Commander for Bury, said: “I am aware that this incident will have caused concern to the community, particularly to those that witnessed any part of what happened.

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“Thankfully officers were swiftly on the scene and able to prevent any members of the public from coming to harm.

“I would like to reassure people that we are treating this as an isolated incident but would urge any witnesses or anyone with information to get in touch.”

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TfGM’s Head of Metrolink, Danny Vaughan, said: “While such incidents are, thankfully, very rare, for those on the tram and at Bury interchange this was obviously pretty worrying.

“Although not seriously hurt, a PCSO was assaulted during this incident, as she sought to protect the public.

“On behalf of our customers I’d like to thank her for that and wish her a full and fast recovery.”

A North West Ambulance Service spokesman said: "We were called to a report of an assault involving a female.

"An ambulance is on the scene and it looks like we will be taking the patient to hospital."

Anyone with information should call police on 101 quoting incident number 629 of 07/12/2018, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.