Off Duty Police Officer Threatened With Samurai Sword In Manchester

An off-duty Greater Manchester Police sergeant is chased by a group of men and threatened with a Samurai sword.

The officer was running back to his car that was parked by the canal near Eastlands after Manchester Citys game with Tottenham. As he passed Clayton Lane, he noticed three men who then started running behind him.

One of the men was carrying a Samurai sword and started threatening him.

He punched the man carrying the sword in self-defence before running to safety. The three men ran away down the canal towpath when he told them he was a police officer.

The man carrying the four foot sword was white, in his late teens, about 5ft 9in tall and of small build, He had a local accent and was wearing a black and white tracksuit, a bandana over his face and blue jeans.

Detective Constable James Coles said: "Making threats such as these with a weapon is not to be tolerated.

"We would appeal to anyone who may have seen the offenders so we can trace those responsible."

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 3554 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.