Travellers demand watchdog investigate 'racism' at Greater Manchester Police
Traveller Movement accuses the force of being too heavy handed when officers removed Romani, Gypsy, Roma and Irish traveller children during a dispersal order in November 2024 at the city centre Christmas Markets.
It says, "Video footage circulated online showed distressed children being forced through Manchester Victoria train station after being met by a large number of GMP officers. Children were seen being forced on to trains heading to unknown destinations, separated from family members, and subjected to physical aggression, including shoving, hair-pulling, and handcuffing."
The charity says the dispersal order exceeded police powers and was disproportionate. It says officers unlawfully targeted and removed children from the community, and disparaging terms like 'pikeys' were used.
It wants the Independent Office for Police Conduct to investigate and is demanding an inquiry an apology from Greater Manchester Police as well as better training for officers.
GMP said the force's priority was "always to protect public safety by preventing incidents of violence and disorder".
Police put in place a 48-hour dispersal notice from about 12:15 GMT on Saturday after reports of anti-social behaviour on trains and in the city.
Assistant Chief Constable Rick Jackson said: 'Any use of police powers is not taken lightly and they are used with a great deal of consideration. Our ultimate aim is always to prevent crime and protect the public.
"I have met with representatives of the Romani Gypsy, Roma and Irish Traveller community and we now have a GRT representative on our Independent Advisory Group so their views can be represented.
'During the meeting, we expressed our regret at the distress and upset the events of 23 November caused.
'We continue to reflect and review how we police similar situations in the future and are working with all relevant partners to ensure we are providing the best possible service to all those who live, work and visit our city.
'We are already planning for how we police the Christmas markets later this year where we can ensure all who plan to come to Manchester safely can do so, especially families and young people."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Rhyl Journal
an hour ago
- Rhyl Journal
Police watchdog launch probe over alleged leak of Manchester Airport footage
In July 2024, the Manchester Evening News (MEN) published a video taken from CCTV of the incident, days after a mobile phone clip shared online showed a police officer kicking and stamping on a young Asian man as he lay on the floor. The phone footage went viral and sparked protests in Manchester city centre and outside Rochdale police station before the MEN's footage revealed that in the lead up to the actions, a female police officer was punched in the face. Last week Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 20 – the man on the floor – was convicted by a jury at Liverpool Crown Court of assaulting Pc Lydia Ward causing her actual bodily harm after he broke her nose. He was also convicted of assaulting her Greater Manchester Police (GMP) colleague Pc Ellie Cook during the incident at the airport's Terminal 2 car park pay station on July 23. Amaaz and his brother, Muhammad Ahmed, 26, both from Rochdale, face a retrial next year over an allegation they assaulted Pc Zachary Marsden – the officer seen to kick and stamp. A probe by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) into the use of force by GMP officers during a series of arrests at the airport on July 23 remains ongoing. But the police watchdog has confirmed a separate investigation is under way over the alleged leak. An IOPC spokesman said: 'We can confirm a Greater Manchester Police officer was recently informed they are being criminally investigated over an allegation they shared footage relating to an active police investigation into an incident at Manchester Airport in July 2024 without any legitimate policing purpose. 'We began our independent investigation following a referral from the force in September 2024, after concerns were raised about the source of a video provided to the media. 'We will now investigate these allegations and obtain an account from the officer concerned in due course.' The officer has been informed they are being investigated over a number of potential offences including unlawful obtaining of personal data, misconduct in a public office and perverting the course of justice. In an opinion piece on Wednesday, MEN editor Sarah Lester said the footage it published 'provided critical context' and pointed out that the protests 'stopped overnight'. She wrote: 'After a careful process of verification and intense internal debate, we published it. 'We did so because we believed, and still believe, that in a democracy, the public deserves the full picture. 'Many senior figures in Manchester, including within the police, told us they were relieved, even grateful, that we had published it.' Ms Lester went on: 'We do not know the identity of the person being investigated and we make no comment on them or the investigation. 'But we do ask: what public interest is being served by pursuing this individual? How much taxpayer money is being spent on this – while the justice system groans under the weight of backlogs and delays? 'What message does this send to others who might be considering speaking up? This is a bad decision.'
Powys County Times
2 hours ago
- Powys County Times
Higgins praises Princess Royal's ‘significant contribution' to UK-Ireland ties
Irish president Michael D Higgins has praised the 'significant contribution' the Princess Royal has made to the relationship between Ireland and the UK, during a meeting at his official residence in Dublin. Anne visited Aras an Uachtarain in what has been described as 'a courtesy call'. The King's sister met Mr Higgins and his wife, Sabina, on her second visit to the President's residence. Anne was greeted by Orla O'Hanrahan, the secretary general to Mr Higgins, and escorted to the State Reception Room where she shook hands with the President and his wife. Anne said: 'It's a little bit warmer than our usual meetings. It's a better time of year, isn't it?' She told Mr Higgins it was 'very kind of you' after he invited her to sign the visitors' book. After asking where on the page to place her signature, she said she did not want to 'waste an entire page'. Sabina told the princess: 'You deserve a whole page.' She signed it: 'Anne. 6th August 2025.' Anne remarked how the President has been in office for 'quite a long time'. Mr Higgins said he has been in the role for 14 years but his tenure will come to an end in November. After enquiring whether they spend all their time at the Aras, the couple replied 'all the time'. President Michael D. Higgins and his wife Sabina today received Her Royal Highness Princess Anne, The Princess Royal, at Áras an Uachtaráin. You can read the President's statement following the meeting at — President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) August 6, 2025 'It's a nice spot,' Anne stated. She also praised Mr Higgins and his wife for attending a number of rugby games with her. In a statement following their meeting, Mr Higgins said: 'It was a pleasure to renew my conversations with Her Royal Highness Princess Anne, The Princess Royal, and to recognise the significant contribution which she has made over so many years to the relationship between our two countries. 'I was also pleased to recognise the contribution which The Princess Royal has made to equestrian sports over the years as well as to related learning and therapy services. 'I further took the opportunity to extend my best wishes to His Majesty King Charles and to recall his unwavering support for peace and reconciliation.' Anne is attending the official opening day of the 150th Dublin Horse Show at the Royal Dublin Society (RDS). During the visit, Anne will tour a special exhibition on the history of the show and meet representatives from Festina Lente – a Bray-based charity offering equine-assisted learning and therapy services – and the Riding for the Disabled Association Ireland. The princess, who competed in the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games in the equestrian three-day event, will also present rosettes to the winners in Class 20 of the Small Hunters competition. The British Ambassador to Ireland, Paul Johnston, said: 'The Princess Royal's visit underscores the deep and enduring friendship between the United Kingdom and Ireland, and the significance of the 150th holding of the RDS Dublin Horse Show. 'Her Royal Highness has visited Ireland on many occasions, including as patron of the Scottish Rugby Union for their biannual Six Nations games here. 'Her visit this week reflects her lifelong interest in equestrianism and charitable work.' Mr Higgins has had significant interaction with the royal family over the course of his two terms. In 2014, he became the first President of Ireland to make a State Visit to the United Kingdom, reciprocating the State Visit made by Queen Elizabeth II to Ireland in 2011. Anne visited the Aras in February 2004 during engagements where she was greeted by then-Irish president Mary McAleese. The princess was accompanied on that private visit by the British ambassador to Ireland at the time, Stewart Eldon. Members of the royal family have visited the president's residence on several occasions, including the historic trip by Queen Elizabeth II in May 2011. She was the first monarch to visit the Republic, where she signed a guest book at the Aras and planted an English oak tree at the Peace Bell. Her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, made solo visits to Aras an Uachtarain in November 1998 and again in April 2006. During their three-day visit to the Republic in 2020, the Prince and Princess of Wales – then titled the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge – had a tea party with Mr Higgins and his wife at the Aras and met one of the president's dogs, Brod.
The Sun
3 hours ago
- The Sun
Man's body found in Manchester alleyway as cops launch probe over ‘unexplained' death
A MAN's body has been found in an alleyway, with cops probing the "currently unexplained" death. The deceased male was found in an alleyway in Manchester. 3 3 Police were called to the scene behind in Moss Side on Wednesday morning, and cordoned of the alleyway to investigate. A blue forensic tent was seen in place at one part of the alley. Two crime scene investigation vans were also seen, with multiple police officers in attendance. A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: "This morning (Wednesday 6 August 2025) we were called to Great Western Street, Moss Side, where we found a deceased male at the scene. "We are working to identify him and the circumstances which led to his death, which is currently unexplained. "There are officers in the area conducting inquiries including extensive house to house and CCTV." Anyone with information is encouraged to contact GMP on 0161 856 9923, 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 11. 3
