Police Board Avanti Train at Macclesfield After Knife Report

Armed police boarded a London-to-Manchester train in Cheshire after reports of a man carrying a knife prompted an emergency response.

British Transport Police were called to Macclesfield railway station at 1.44pm on Wednesday 18 December as an Avanti West Coast service from London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly pulled in. Passengers on board witnessed officers joining the train shortly after it arrived at the platform.

Police carried out a full search of the train and escorted two men off the service for further checks. The men were taken outside the station and searched by officers.

No weapons were found during the searches and both men were released, with police confirming that no further action was required.

A British Transport Police spokesperson said:

"Officers were called to Macclesfield railway station at 1.44pm yesterday (December 18) following a report of a man with a knife on a train from London to Manchester. Officers attended and conducted a thorough search of the train, removing two men from the train and searching them, however no knives were found."

Image: Avanti West Coast