A full police investigation is underway after hundreds of school kids ran riot in Manchester City Centre on Friday afternoon (July 21). Yesterday was the last day of the school term before breaking for the summer holidays.
Children gathered in Piccadilly Gardens before chaos ensued. That included kids throwing eggs at members of the public and police officers, with trams brought to a halt and businesses closed.
The mayhem came to an end when Tactical Aid Unit officers were deployed and successfully corralled the teenagers onto Piccadilly Gardens itself. Hundreds had earlier moved from the Market Street tram stop, down to the Arndale centre, and back up to Oldham Street.
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The Manchester Evening News shared these stories on our Facebook page with readers reacting with anger at the scenes in the City Centre. Mags Spratt summed up the mood of many, commenting: "What an absolute disgrace!! Businesses closed, trams & buses stopped, police & public egged!!! Bit more than high jinx!!! Disrespect & rudeness at its best!!!!"
Dale Vicker said: "What happened to just writing obscenities on your shirts!"
Maz Delmonte added: "Wow absolutely no respect."
Cherrelle Loftus said: "Yep and through the summer holidays they will most likely causing lots of trouble as they've got 6 weeks of nothing to do."
"Bring back discipline and should not be allowed in the city centre there are no schools in the city centre should have been stopped before they got there shows police do nothing," said Stella Hayward.
Gemma Leatherbarrow was less concerned, saying: "Sounds like kids being kids tbh."
Police issued a statement this morning that an investigation would take place over the coming weeks.
Inspector Kenna, from GMP’s city centre division, said: “We anticipated a number of school and college students would come into Manchester city centre on their last day of term, causing disruption and disorder. Due to this and information we received, a dispersal order was put in place for Manchester city centre for 24 hours, from 1pm on Friday, July 21.
"Officers were faced with hundreds of college students around Market Street and 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, and enquiries are still ongoing in relation to these arrests.
"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."
