Beware! Carrying a baseball bat in Manchester could lead to arrest

Manchester police arrested a man carrying a baseball bat in the city centre, but released him without charges after investigating. The man, seen with the bat still wrapped in its original retail packaging, was approached by an officer and taken into custody. Several officers, including those on motorcycles, arrived at the scene and handcuffed him before transporting him to a police vehicle.

The incident drew criticism on social media, with some questioning why the man was arrested when the bat seemed to be recently purchased. Greater Manchester Police defended the officer's actions, stating that the man initially refused to engage with them before being detained. The force later discovered that the bat had been bought the previous week and found no evidence of an intent to use it as a weapon.

Their enquiries concluded that no crime had been committed. The Professional Standards Directorate reviewed the footage and found no misconduct. Carrying an offensive weapon in a public place is illegal under UK law.