A 51-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and remains in custody for questioning.
Police in Oldham were called to report of a man with a gun at a petrol station on Lees Road late last night
On the discovery, Oldham District Commander Phil Hutchinson said; “I would firstly like to reassure the public these types of offences and incidents are a rarity in Oldham but want to thank those who saw the incident for making us aware of this.
“Our swift response meant we were able to make an arrest as well as recover the firearm which thankfully was an imitation to prevent any further distress.
“We remain committed to remove illegally held firearms from our streets and will act on available intel when we receive it.
“Whether it was viable, or an imitation is irrelevant as these types of incidents can understandably cause concern in our communities and we treat every single one with the upmost seriousness.
“Patrols remain in place with dedicated neighbourhood and response officers to ensure we provide high-visibility reassurance and support.”
