Manchester City Council’s leader has called for compassion, understanding and solidarity following protests in Manchester and across the country this weekend.
Many businesses and shops were targeted and damaged in the city centre, following misinformation spread about the person behind the stabbings of three young girls in Southport last week.
Officers made five arrests on Saturday and a further fourteen arrests on Sunday in relation to offences for being drunk and disorderly, possession of a weapon, assault, criminal damage, and violent disorder.
One bartender in the city centre told Business Manchester, “It was horrendous. We had to close the pub three times yesterday because of the unrest. We locked the customers inside to keep them safe.”
Councillor Bev Craig (pictured) said: “Following a weekend that saw a number of serious incidents of unrest in towns and cities across the country, we know that our communities will be feeling understandably anxious and uneasy. We would like to reassure our residents that we will not tolerate disorder in our streets.
“Manchester’s diversity is our strength, and it is now more important than ever that we support one another with compassion, understanding and solidarity.
“I am deeply conscious that some of our communities, especially minority communities, are anxious about discrimination, abuse, anti-Muslim sentiment and racism – much of which is playing out on social media, alongside misinformation and other forms of hate.”
She said the council would continue to work alongside Greater Manchester Police to ensure Manchester remains a welcoming and safe place. There would be an increased police presence in neighbourhoods, she said.
Craig added: “There is no justification for criminal behaviour and the actions of the perpetrators undermine everything that Manchester stands for.
“We are proud to be a vibrant, tolerant and accepting place – and we know there is more that unites us than divides us. Now is the time we come together to show what this means.
“There is no place for hate in our city.”
Stephen Watson, chief constable of Greater Manchester Police said: “I want to thank the vast majority of law-abiding citizens of Greater Manchester who either stayed away from events over the weekend, or who took part by sharing their views in a way that did not break the law, but which upheld our democratic right to peaceful protest. However, it was clear that across all events, there were people of all political and cultural backgrounds who attended with the intent of causing trouble and breaking the law.
“There are consequences for inciting hate and causing damage, and those who have broken the law will be held accountable for their actions. Where arrests have been made, charges have been quickly sought and some offenders have already appeared before the courts and we expect to make further arrests. We have gathered extensive video evidence, collected testimonies, and our intelligence teams are working vigorously with support from the full force to identify further criminal behaviour and locate those responsible. Justice will be forthwith.”
