Nine people have been arrested after a group of people gathered in a pub in Greater Manchester to celebrate Adolf Hitler’s birthday.
A group caused outrage when they arrived at the Duke of Edinburgh in Royton on April 19 to celebrate the Nazi leader’s 136th birthday with a cake decorated with a swastika.
Pub landlord Terry English told Metro that the group ’snuck into the pub’ and ’none of the staff saw anything’, adding that he has since reported them to the police.
All nine were arrested this morning on suspicion of Section 18 Public Order Act offences, which includes displaying written material that is threatening, abusive, or insulting, intending to stir up racial hatred.
Greater Manchester Police have searched homes in Rochdale, Bolton, Trafford, Stockport, and Southport as part of their investigation and have found imitation firearms, weapons including swords and a crossbow, and Nazi memorabilia and materials.
A suspected grenade was found at a property in Bolton, but explosives experts were deployed and the item has since been declared safe.
There are still cordons in place while officers continue to search a number of addresses.
Assistant Chief Constable Steph Parker said: ’Due to the nature of the materials we recovered at the warrants today, we have liaised with colleagues at Counter Terrorism Policing North West.
’This is a matter of course, and it very much remains a GMP-led investigation.
’It’s important that all avenues are explored to establish the extent of the criminal offenses which have been committed, and whilst our investigation is still in its early stages, we do not believe there to be a risk to the wider public.
The group ate the cake together (Picture: MEN Media)
’This group clearly has a deep fascination with ideas that we know are unsettling for communities across Greater Manchester.
’We must take action when concerns are raised, and where weapons are suspected, to ensure people are free to live without fear of intimidation or harm.’
’Public safety is at the forefront of our investigation, and as always, we ask that you remain vigilant, and if you have any information or concerns, then to contact us.’
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