The number of people taken into custody, following a cordon and search operation in the New Green/Battersea areas in Manchester, this morning, has increased to five. 

The police report that at about 4:30 a.m., a premises was searched when an AR 15 assault rifle and seven 5.56 rounds of ammunition were discovered.

The weapon was seized and five people were taken into custody.

Their identities are being withheld pending further investigations.