In a dramatic operation yesterday evening, armed police descended on The Warehouse Gym in Hindley, Wigan, as part of a broader counter-terrorism initiative. Jonny Hart, the owner of the gym located on Platt Lane, described the scene as officers placed the facility under lockdown around 7:30pm and apprehended a gym-goer suspected of terrorism offences.
The operation is linked to a series of arrests across Greater Manchester, where three men, aged 35, 36, and 51, were taken into custody on similar suspicions. The police used dogs and drones to secure the area, which was described by Hart as a shocking and confusing scene for the 250 members present.
During the lockdown, no one was permitted to enter or leave the premises as police meticulously searched the gym. Hart praised his staff and gym members for their cooperation with the police, noting their assistance in providing details about the suspect’s activities and possessions at the gym.
According to Hart, the suspect had been under surveillance throughout the day. After losing track of him at his residence, authorities followed him to the gym where they executed the arrest swiftly, ensuring the safety of all present. Hart expressed his support for the police actions, emphasizing the importance of community safety and the thoroughness of the police response.
The police presence remains strong in the area with ongoing scenes in Bolton, Great Lever, Abram, and Hindley as further investigations are conducted. Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts reassured the public, stating that the arrests were part of a well-planned operation aimed at neutralizing a potential threat, with no current broader danger to the community anticipated.
This incident highlights the extensive and often unseen efforts of counter-terrorism forces to maintain public safety and the importance of community cooperation in such critical situations. Further details are expected as the investigation progresses.
