Police chiefs will have hundreds of officers on duty in Manchester on Saturday ahead of a Britain First march and expected counter protest.
Around 1,000 supporters of the far-right, anti-immigration party are expected, along with a similar number of far-left counter protesters.
Police chiefs say they want to facilitate the right to protest but stress Manchester is “open for business” and aim to keep disruption to a minimum for local businesses, residents and the community.
Manchester sees around 120,000 visitors to the city centre on a Saturday at this time of year.
A recent Britain First march in Manchester. Credit: ITV News Library Pictures
Extra officers are on hand and extra police powers are in place for the city centre, including the power to arrest anyone who ignores a dispersal order to leave an area and enhanced stop and search powers allowing officers to request the removal of face coverings.
Police say organisers of the Britain First march, advertised by them as a St George’s Day parade, have agreed a route with police, starting at 1.15pm in Store Street, near Piccadilly station, and ending with a gathering and speeches in St Peter’s Square.
The event is expected to end around 3pm.
There will be hundreds of police officers on duty for the march, Greater Manchester Police says. Credit: ITV News Library Pictures
Disruption on roads and to public transport is expected, particularly close to the city centre and along the route of the march.
Rick Jackson, Assistant Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said: “The public should expect to see a large police presence in the city centre on Saturday as part of our policing operation focused on keeping people safe and minimising the wider impact during the planned protest and counterprotests.
“Disruption should be expected but we are working with partners in the city centre to mitigate this.
“We’ll have significant resources in place to facilitate protest and to ensure our local communities, businesses and visitors to Manchester can go about their day safely and with as minimal impact as possible.
“Our officers will police without fear or favour, ensuring those exercising their right to protest can do so safely, while intervening when behaviour crosses the line into criminality.”
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