Nine people have been arrested after a group of neo-Nazis held a birthday party to mark what would have been Adolf Hitler's 136th birthday at a pub in Oldham.
Images were posted on social media of a swastika-themed cake and Nazi flags at the Duke of Edinburgh in Market Street, Royton.
Members of the British Movement North West had allegedly concealed their Nazi paraphernalia when entering the pub.
Pub staff said they had been unaware of the group's activities, before reporting the matter to police.
An image of the group at the Duke of Edinburgh pub
BM
A series of raids were carried out across the North West, with officers seizing an imitation AK47 rifle, a suspected grenade, a crossbow, a series of fake handguns as well as a number of swords, one decorated with a swastika.
Officers also found a gas cannister styled with ''Zyklon", the substance used by the Nazis in the Holocaust to exterminate millions of Jews.
Greater Manchester Police said it had conducted morning raids across Rochdale, Bolton, Trafford, Stockport and Southport and the fake grenade and gas cannister were "not viable."
A post on the group's Telegram feed read: "On a gorgeous sunny afternoon in Greater Manchester, a platoon of Northwest British Movement met up to celebrate the 136th Birthday of Uncle A."
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Members of the British Movement hold up a banner with 'White Power' and give Nazi salutes in 1980
PA
Assistant Chief Constable Steph Parker of Greater Manchester Police said: "Due to the nature of the materials we recovered at the warrants today, we have liaised with colleagues at Counter Terrorism Police 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 offences 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.
“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."
The Duke of Edinburgh in Oldham
Google Maps
The British Movement, which dates back to 1968, is believed to have active units across the UK, including in South London, Kent and South Wales.
The group made headlines in 1969 when founder Colin Jordan put himself forward as a candidate for the Birmingham Ladywood by-election on an openly pro-Nazi and fascist platform, receiving 282 votes and finishing fourth.
In March 2024, Michael Gove, then Communities Secretary, named the organisation as one of several regarded as "a cause for concern".
