Hundreds of police officers were deployed across Manchester city centre as rival protest groups gathered on Saturday. Three arrests were made during the operation.
Greater Manchester Police put a large scale operation in place to separate supporters of the right-wing group, Britain First and counter protesters, with significant disruption reported across the city centre.
The demonstration began near Piccadilly Station, where several hundred Britain First supporters gathered before moving towards St Peter’s Square. Counter protesters assembled separately in Piccadilly Gardens.
Police formed cordons along key routes, restricting movement and closing roads while tram services through St Peter’s Square were suspended for several hours. Officers on foot, mounted units and vehicles were stationed across the area as part of the response.
The operation followed previous protests in February which saw disorder and multiple arrests. On this occasion, officers maintained separation between groups throughout the day, with only brief verbal exchanges reported.
- Britain First march in MCR - Saturday 18 April 26
- Britain First march in MCR - Saturday 18 April 26
- Britain First march in MCR - Saturday 18 April 26
- Britain First march in MCR - Saturday 18 April 26
- Britain First march in MCR - Saturday 18 April 26
- Britain First march in MCR - Saturday 18 April 26
- Britain First march in MCR - Saturday 18 April 26
- Britain First march in MCR - Saturday 18 April 26
- Britain First march in MCR - Saturday 18 April 26
- Britain First march in MCR - Saturday 18 April 26
- Britain First march in MCR - Saturday 18 April 26
- Britain First march in MCR - Saturday 18 April 26
- Britain First march in MCR - Saturday 18 April 26
- Britain First march in MCR - Saturday 18 April 26
- Britain First march in MCR - Saturday 18 April 26
- Britain First march in MCR - Saturday 18 April 26
- Britain First march in MCR - Saturday 18 April 26
- Britain First march in MCR - Saturday 18 April 26
- Britain First march in MCR - Saturday 18 April 26
- Britain First march in MCR - Saturday 18 April 26
- Britain First march in MCR - Saturday 18 April 26
- Britain First march in MCR - Saturday 18 April 26
- Britain First march in MCR - Saturday 18 April 26
- Britain First march in MCR - Saturday 18 April 26
- Britain First march in MCR - Saturday 18 April 26
- Britain First march in MCR - Saturday 18 April 26
- Britain First march in MCR - Saturday 18 April 26
- Britain First march in MCR - Saturday 18 April 26
- Britain First march in MCR - Saturday 18 April 26
- Britain First march in MCR - Saturday 18 April 26
- Britain First march in MCR - Saturday 18 April 26
- Britain First march in MCR - Saturday 18 April 26
- Britain First march in MCR - Saturday 18 April 26
- Britain First march in MCR - Saturday 18 April 26
- Britain First march in MCR - Saturday 18 April 26
- Britain First march in MCR - Saturday 18 April 26
- Britain First march in MCR - Saturday 18 April 26
- Britain First march in MCR - Saturday 18 April 26
- Britain First march in MCR - Saturday 18 April 26
- Britain First march in MCR - Saturday 18 April 26
- Britain First march in MCR - Saturday 18 April 26
- Britain First march in MCR - Saturday 18 April 26
- Britain First march in MCR - Saturday 18 April 26
- Britain First march in MCR - Saturday 18 April 26
- Britain First march in MCR - Saturday 18 April 26
Greater Manchester Police confirmed three arrests. One man was arrested on suspicion of breaching a requirement to remove a face covering. Another man was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer. A woman was arrested on suspicion of breaching the peace.
Police said a dispersal order remained in place into the evening, giving officers powers to direct individuals to leave the area.
Assistant Chief Constable Rick Jackson said officers had been deployed to support the right to peaceful protest while managing disruption.
He said “We had extra officers on duty to support people’s right to protest peacefully while reducing the impact on the wider public.”
He added “Thanks to the efforts of our officers on the ground and the planning done with our partners, hundreds of people from a range of groups were able to come together safely, with no significant issues reported.”
Earlier in the day, police said officers used PAVA spray during an incident involving counter protesters attempting to break through police lines. No injuries to members of the public were reported.
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