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Armed man arrested at UK blast vigil

A candle-lit vigil in Birmingham in memory of those killed in the Manchester Arena bomb attack was cut short after a man believed to be armed was detained.

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Source: AAP


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A candle-lit vigil in Birmingham in memory of those killed in the Manchester Arena bomb attack has been cut short after a man believed to be armed was arrested.

The man shouted out as he was handcuffed and led away by officers, just a short distance from where 1000 people had gathered in the city's main Victoria Square on Tuesday.

As he was taken away in a riot van a police sergeant could be seen carrying away what appeared to be a bat and a hatchet.

Speakers who had been paying tribute to the Manchester victims killed and injured on Monday night were interrupted by the man's loud protests, from down a side street.

Police, including armed response officers, then cleared the square a short time later.

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Chief constable David Thompson - who had been attending the vigil in an official capacity - witnessed some of the incident.

He confirmed the evacuation of the square, in front of the council house, had been a precaution.


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