THE mystery behind a suspicious item found in an abandoned car goes on as police continue to investigate.

Police came across an abandoned silver Audi A6 on Car Bank Street in Atherton, shortly before 11am yesterday, Thursday.

After further inspection on arrival, officers discovered a suspicious item in the car and called for further assistance.

Bomb disposal officers attended and assessed the item.

A police cordon was put in place and a small number of homes were evacuated as a precaution while the scene was assessed.

The discovered item was taken away for further analysis after being deemed safe to move. 

Officers have not confirmed what the item is.

Investigators are now keen to speak to anyone who may have seen suspicious behaviour around the area of Car Bank Street in the time preceding the police’s arrival.

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Detective Inspector Joanne Johnston, of Greater Manchester Police's Wigan division, said: “I would firstly like to commend the work of our specialist officers at the scene for ensuring there was no risk to the public during the procedure.

“I’d also like to extend my thanks to the local community for their co-operation and I ask them to continue to work with us while we continue to assess the scene in the coming days to try and gather further information.

“While the item is currently being forensically examined by a specialist team, we are now concentrating on our investigation into the circumstances behind the car’s abandonment and the item subsequently found inside of it.

“Initial enquiries suggest the car has been left redundant for at least a few days and we urge anyone who has seen the car or any suspicious behaviour around that area in recent days to come forward with information no matter how insignificant they think it may be.”

If you have any information contact police on 0161 856 5307 quoting incident number 886 of January 2.

Details can also be passed on anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.