People have been left 'disgusted' after a man allegedly let of a firework into a crowd of people who were paying their respects to war veterans in a Remembrance Sunday service.
The service was attended by local residents from the Salford area of Greater Manchester, who were left shocked when the incident took place at the cenotaph in Eccles.
Witnesses described hearing a 'rocket' being let off just after 11am - when two minutes of silence is widely observed by the whole of the nation.
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Footage shows a group of people confronting a man who was leaning out of a window of a pub that overlooks the area.
Even elderly servicemen witnessed the incident, with many of them joining in the crowd to challenge the man's behaviour. People can be seen a attempting to break into the pub and climb up to the window. Police officers are seen holding members of the public back.
The man that is suspected of letting off the firework appeared at the window, wearing army style clothing, before angry locals threw traffic cones at him, causing him to retreat back inside the building to take cover.
Back up arrived quickly to the scene, where police later arrested a 38-year-old man on suspicion of a public order offence. He was taken to custody.
Residents and others took to social media to voice their anger over what had happened - with many commenting on how disrespectful the act was to the fallen soldiers on what is supposed to be a reflective occasion.
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One person wrote: "How sad to see the Remembrance Sunday service in Eccles marred by a complete idiot.
"I noticed him stood on the window ledge before the ceremony drinking from a can.
"Then at 11am as people observed the two minute silence he lets off a rocket which exploded above the people gathered there.
"Several servicemen tried to force their way into the pub and luckily for [the man's family] the police stopped them no doubt for his own safety.
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"Further ugly scenes ensued with traffic cones being hurled from the pub one hitting a policeman. He was restrained and taken away by the police but the situation remains tense with police on guard outside the pub.
"It is safe to say that any sympathy he may have had with local people has gone in an instant with this moronic act."
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: "Shortly after 11.05am today (Sunday 10 November 2019), police were called to reports of a disturbance at a pub on Church Street in Eccles.
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"Officers attended and a 38-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of a public order offence. He has been taken to custody for questioning.
"Initial enquiries suggest that a firework was thrown through the window of the pub.
"There are no reported injuries. Enquiries are ongoing."
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: uk news