Piccadilly Gardens fight: police disperse 100 young people - mostly schoolchildren -after brawl

Police were called to Piccadilly Gardens on Friday evening to disperse around 100 young people who were fighting in Manchester city centre.

GMP said those involved, around 5pm, were mostly schoolchildren and that police equipment was damaged when some threw ‘missiles’ at them.

A 16-year-old was arrested on suspicion of affray and has been released under investigation.

Police put a 24-hour dispersal order in place to allow officers the power to direct anyone within that public place to leave.

What did police say?

Superintendent Helen Critchley from GMP’s City of Manchester District said: “This kind of anti-social behaviour, which caused a huge amount of disruption for members of the public trying to get home on a Friday, as well as businesses, will not be tolerated.

“I acknowledge that a lot of those involved last night are young, and may have been easily swept up in what was happening, however due to the disruption caused, we will be working to identify all those involved using CCTV as well as officer’s body worn video footage, and hold them accountable. It’s worth noting that a number of those involved were wearing school uniform at the time.

“If you or anyone you know may have seen anything that could help with our enquiries, or have CCTV or DashCam footage of the area at the time, please get in touch with police, quoting log number 2054 of 14/01/22 either via LiveChat on our website, or call 101. Thank you.”

Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.