Police issue statement over claims traveller children turned away from Manchester Christmas markets
A dispersal order was put in place across the city centre on Saturday night, over concerns of anti-social behaviour
Greater Manchester Police have issued a statement over footage on social media appearing to show officers forcing teenagers onto trains to keep them away from the city centre.
A dispersal order was put in place on Saturday night (23 November), over concerns of anti-social behaviour.
But officers were criticised by charities representing the traveller community, who claim teenagers and children were forced on trains, without knowing their destination.
In a statement on X, The Traveller Movement accused the force of "heavy-handed" and "discriminatory" action.
They claim children and teenagers were "unfairly targeted" and were trying to enjoy the markets "like everybody else".
In a statement given to Greatest Hits Radio, Assistant chief constable Rick Jackson said: “We are aware of social media videos circulating, and comments from the Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller communities concerning our policing of a dispersal order in Manchester city centre yesterday.
“Our priority is always to protect public safety by preventing incidents of violence and disorder.
“Due to intelligence of groups causing anti-social behaviour on trains on the way into Manchester and similar reports rising around the city centre, alongside increasing footfall, we issued a dispersal order.
"This included plans for officers to re-route arriving groups back home.
“Shortly after, officers responded to several disturbances in the city centre and intervened in altercations between groups.
“We understand there are feelings of mistreatment and confusion amongst groups of people for being turned away yesterday, and we are determined to address these concerns by working closely with the Mayor’s office to engage these communities in Manchester and further afield.”
The deputy mayor of Greater Manchester, Kate Green, has also called for an investigation into the officer's handling of the situation.
She said: "I have watched the videos circulating on social media and have asked GMP for a full report on the action taken".