ARMED police stormed the Trafford Centre after a 'suicide bomber' blew himself up as part of a counter-terrorism training drill.

Firearms officers swooped on the shopping complex in response to mock Islamic State-style attacker armed with assault rifles and explosives creating havoc.

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The exercise took place between midnight and 6am while the centre was shut to the public and was the first of three days of an exercise to test the response of the North West's emergency services to a Paris or Brussels-style terrorist attack.

More than 800 volunteers, including staff who work in the shops, were drafted in to play screaming and panicked shoppers and bystanders.

They had been given a safety briefing - during which they were told no live rounds were being used - and were given ear defenders and safety glasses to wear.

One pretend fanatic set off an ear-splitting simulated explosion at the centre's southern entrance between Five Guys burger joint and Las Iguanas restaurant in the food court on the ground floor.

He shouted 'Allahu Akbar ', meaning 'God is greater' in Arabic, before the blast and the outrage of some commentators on social media has forced GMP to apologise for the "unacceptable" use of this phrase.

Assistant Chief Constable Gary Shewan said: "It is a necessity for agencies including the police to train and prepare using exercises such as this so that we would be in the best possible position to respond in the event that the unthinkable happened and attack took place.

"The scenario for this exercise is based on a suicide attack by an extremist Daesh-style organisation and the scenario writers have centred the circumstances around previous similar attacks of these nature, mirroring details of past events to make the situation as real life as possible for all of those involved.

"However, on reflection we acknowledge that it was unacceptable to use this religious phrase immediately before the mock suicide bombing, which so vocally linked this exercise with Islam.

"We recognise and apologise for the offence that this has caused."

At the point of the 'suicide bomb' nearby volunteers threw themselves to the ground and pretended to have been killed or wounded with the help of realistically-looking injury make-up and ripped clothing.

They were strewn around the concourse in bloodied clothing or were seen cowering or running away as the terrorists stalked the mall, screaming at the public to get on the floor, waving their guns around and firing shots.

Police and special forces swooped in alongside dog units to quell the threat as part of a narrative that no-one taking part entirely knows.

The current UK terror threat level is described as severe, meaning an attack is highly likely, according to the security services although GMP said no specific threat against the Trafford Centre has been identified.

Trafford Centre's management said afterwards on Twitter: "Everyone's safety is the No 1 priority.  "We think it was a really valuable drill and a worthwhile experience for all involved."

Other sites in the region including a former children's home in Newton-le-Willows, Merseyside, will be used as to stage further elements of the training operation as the week progresses.

The exercise, which involved Greater Manchester Police, Merseyside Police, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, North West Ambulance Service and the police helicopter, was five months in the planning and was codenamed Exercise Winchester Accord.

Greater Manchester's Police and Crime Commissioner and interim mayor Tony Lloyd said: "This was a very good exercise in preparing for a situation we never want to see, but must be ready for. 

"The public expects the highest standard of training where all of our emergency services locally work together effectively with those who with national responsibility to keep the UK safe.  "This planning event has helped ensure that should the unthinkable ever happen, Greater Manchester will be ready.

"However, it is frustrating the operation has been marred by the ill-judged, unnecessary and unacceptable decision by organisers to have those playing the parts of terrorists to shout ‘Allah Akbar’ before setting off their fake bombs.

"It didn’t add anything to the event, but has the potential to undermine the great community relations we have in Greater Manchester."

Did you take part as a volunteer? Tell us your story on 01204 537249 or e-mail ian.proctor@nqnw.co.uk