Two people have been taken into police custody and an assault rifle seized following a cordon and search operation in Manchester this morning.

Head of the Manchester police, Superintendent Shane McCalla says the operation which started at 4:30 AM targeted the New Green/ Battersea area.

He said a premises was searched and an A-R 15 along with a quantity of ammunition were seized during the search.

He said the two people taken into police custody will be questioned.

The operation is reportedly ongoing.