A huge police dispersal order is in place after a paramedic was pushed off his bike by one of a group of up to 150 people “causing disruption” in Manchester.
The incident happened in the city centre at around 3.45pm today on Sunday (May 7). Police say the paramedic was pushed off his bike by one of a large group “engaging in anti-social behaviour" but he was left uninjured.
The group then made their way over the tram tracks at Exchange Square and caused disruption before entering the Arndale Centre, a spokesman for GMP said.
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Extra officers were deployed to the city centre to locate the individuals, who were spraying on the walls in the Arndale Centre and on the windows outside.
A man was detained on suspicion of causing damage and taken into custody.
A dispersal order has now been implemented by police. It will last until midnight tonight (May 7) and allows police to exclude a person or people from an area for up to 48 hours through a written notice.
It aims to prevent and reduce the risk of any anti-social behaviour or disorder and is focused around the areas shown on a map below.
Superintendent Nicola Williams said: "On occasion, we have problems with people coming into the city centre and engaging in anti-social behaviour and the police are taking decisive action to stop this.
"Members of the public who live, visit or come into the city to work should not have to witness this behaviour or be put at risk. Today, my officers have had bottles thrown at them and this is totally unacceptable.
"The Dispersal Order means we will serve anyone who is taking part in this disturbing behaviour, notice to leave our City and they won't be allowed to return for at least 48 hours."
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