A dispersal order has been put in place in Manchester city centre after hundreds of teenagers ran riot this afternoon.
Police officers were egged as schoolchildren descended on Market Street and Piccadilly Gardens after finishing school for the summer. Tram services were forced to a crawl at one point while shops reportedly locked their doors as the chaos unfolded outside.
Pictures and video sent to the Manchester Evening News showed a large police presence around Market Street and Piccadilly Gardens. Footage also shows a large group of teenagers in the area, running through Piccadilly Gardens.
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One person was reportedly arrested after being 'chased' by police. An eyewitness said the mayhem started at about 2.30pm after a group of teenagers was asked to leave the food court at the Arndale shopping centre.
This evening, police at the scene reportedly announced that a dispersal order had been put in place. Officers warned those gathered that they 'may be arrested' if they refused to move when asked.
Manchester councillor Pat Karney slammed the 'disgraceful behaviour' of those involved.
"We all lived for the break up for summer holidays but that’s no reason for this disgraceful behaviour," he said in a tweet. "I presume it’s been organised on social media. We will be seeking an update from GMP."
Details of the area covered by the dispersal order and the time it will remain in force until have not officially been released by Greater Manchester Police.
