Police clash with mobs a violence hit city streets

Fighting and vandalism brings Manchester to standstill as rival groups hold demonstrations

- CHRIS SLATER, JOHN SCHEERHOUT, RAMAZANI MWAMBA & THOMAS GEORGE

FIGHTS broke out, a supermarket closed and public transport was at a standstill in Manchester following a day of protests.

Hundreds of people descended on the city centre as a number demonstrations were held of yesterday.

In the morning, close to 150 people joined one protest marching under the banner 'Stand Up For Your Country: Enough is Enough'. They were met with a counter rally which featured around 350 demonstrators.

Greater Manchester Police soon issued a dispersal order for the whole of Manchester city centre until 7pm which gave them extra powers to deal with anyone taking part in or causing anti-social behaviour.

Officers did their best to keep the demonstrators apart with two rows of policemen and women deployed to separate the groups. However, video footage captured by the M.E.N. showed scuffles breaking out in Piccadilly Gardens.

Metal fences were hurled while punches were thrown by a number of people in the melee. A large number of police officers could be seen attempting to keep order and dispersing people from the area.