Parents slam police over dispersal order

GREATER Manchester Police have defended the use of a dispersal order in the city centre after footage shared on social media showed scores of young people - many understood to be from traveller communities being escorted onto trains heading out of town.

- JOHN SCHEERHOUT

The footage shows dozens of uniformed police officers ushering teenagers onto trains at Victoria station.

The force has confirmed it was part of a 'dispersal order' to prevent trouble in the city centre. They say they broke up two fights yesterday afternoon.

Parents of some youngsters from traveller communities caught up in the police operation at the railway station contacted the M.E.N to complain about GMP's response.

Sarah Smith, from Stoke-on-Trent, said her daughters - aged 21 and 14 - came to visit the markets and see friends.

She said: "They've just come here to go shopping. It was a day at the markets and visit family and friends and do a little bit of Christmas shopping.