Students at the University of Manchester have ripped down 'lockdown' fencing that was installed without warning at their Fallowfield campus.
Hundreds of students staged a protest on Thursday night, after the university erected metal fencing at halls of residences including Owens Park and Unsworth Park.
Earlier in the day, the university had issued a statement saying the fencing was put in place as a security measure as England enters another four week lockdown.
But they were heavily criticised by some students and parents for 'penning them in', with students only learning what was happening when they woke up to find the fencing being erected.
A number of students contacted the M.E.N to raise concerns about the mental health strain students are already under.
Shortly before 9pm, around an hour after the protests began, the university issued an apology, and said the fencing would be removed on Friday morning.
But by then a number of the fences had already been ripped down during the demonstration.
A number of videos were shared on social media, showing the fences coming down.
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In a statement, Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor said: "I sincerely apologise for the concern and distress caused by the erecting of a fence around our Fallowfield Halls of Residence today.
"This was not our intention – in fact quite the reverse.
"The fencing was intended as a response to a number of concerns received over recent weeks from staff and students on this site about safety and security; particularly about access by people who are not residents.
"There was never any intent to prevent students from entering or exiting the site.
"The fences are being taken down from Friday morning and students are being contacted immediately. Alternative security measures, including additional security patrols are being put in place.
"I apologise once again for the issues caused by this incident".
