Three people have been arrested after hundreds of teenagers ran riot in Manchester city centre today.
Police officers were egged as schoolchildren descended on Market Street and Piccadilly Gardens after finishing school for the summer. As youths ran amok, shops were forced to lock their doors and tram services were brought to a crawl.
Pictures and video sent to the Manchester Evening News showed a large police presence around Market Street and Piccadilly Gardens. A tactical aid unit was drafted in to help control the mayhem while a 24-hour dispersal order was put in place for the entire city centre from 1pm today.
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Police have now confirmed that three people were arrested on suspicion of public order offences. Officers said they will remain in the area throughout the evening.
Greater Manchester Police said it would be reviewing CCTV and vowed to take 'robust action' against those involved in the disorder.
Inspector Kenna, of the force's city centre neighbourhood policing team, said: "We anticipated a number of school & college students would come into Manchester City centre on their last day of term, causing disruption & disorder. Due to this and information received, a dispersal order was in place for Manchester City Centre for 24hrs from 1300 hrs on Friday 21st July.
"Officers were faced with 100's of college students around Market St. & Piccadilly Gardens, causing disruption to local businesses and those going about their daily activities in Manchester.
"A police warning was given over the police loudspeaker, informing people of the dispersal order and to leave the area immediately, otherwise they may be arrested. The group were contained to Piccadilly Gardens and dispersed from this area.
"Three arrests were made by police for public order offences, enquiries are still ongoing in relation to these arrests. Officers will remain in the area throughout the evening.
"A full investigation and review of CCTV will now take place over the coming weeks, where a debrief will take place with schools and colleges. We will not tolerate or accept this level of disorder or disruption in Manchester, robust action will be taken against those who are identified as committing offences and disorder."
