A group of people arrested after they were accused of celebrating Adolf Hitler’s birthday with a swastika-themed cake in a pub have been released on bail, police have said.
The nine people were arrested as Nazi memorabilia and weapons including swords and a crossbow were seized on Wednesday in raids across Greater Manchester.
It comes after members of far-right group British Movement North West posted pictures online last month of themselves holding up Nazi flags and eating the cake at a pub in Oldham.
Greater Manchester Police said all nine people been bailed “under strict conditions” while their investigation continues.
The force had arrested the group on suspicion of Section 18 Public Order offences, which includes displaying written material intended to stir up racial hatred.
They were detained after raids on homes in Rochdale, Bolton, Trafford, Stockport, and Southport, where imitation firearms, weapons including swords and a crossbow, and Nazi memorabilia was discovered.
A suspected grenade was also found at a property in Bolton.
The Duke of Edinburgh pub in Royton, Oldham, said its staff had been tricked by the far-right group who allegedly concealed their Nazi paraphernalia when entering.
