Police 'must learn lessons' over treatment of Travellers at Manchester Christmas markets
A mayoral review of the use of a dispersal order which saw hundreds from Traveller communities including many children turned away from Manchester's Christmas markets has found there are "lessons to be learned".Greater Manchester Police (GMP) enforced the order - covering the whole of the city centre - following reports of trouble among people heading into town on Saturday, 23 November.Videos were widely shared on social media, with clips showing officers turning people away, among them children from Traveller communities. People were ushered onto trains heading out of town at Victoria station.The force has defended its decision to issue a dispersal order, which gives officers powers to force people to leave a defined area or be arrested if they refuse.
The force said it signed the order following reports groups were causing trouble on trains on their way into Manchester.
GMP was accused of a 'heavy-handed and discriminatory action' by a charity which said traveller children were stopped from attending the Christmas markets and 'forced' back onto trains out of the city.
The Traveller Movement said it was 'shocking' and 'completely unacceptable' and prompted Travellers to march through Manchester city centre in protest.
It was led by Big Fat Gypsy Weddings and Celebrity Big Brother star Paddy Doherty and Tommy Joyce, a well-known face among Greater Manchester's Traveller communities.After the force delivered its report to Greater Manchester Deputy Mayor Kate Green, Ms Green said she understood the rationale behind the force's decision-making.But she said there are lessons to be learned, namely that the force could have 'engaged' with the Travellers before their arrival in the city centre. She promised to outline her concerns in a letter to Chief Constable Stephen Watson.
In a statement, Ms Green said: "The decision to issue a dispersal order was an operational one for GMP to make, on what was an extremely busy day in the city of Manchester which saw considerable crime, anti social behaviour and disorder across the city centre.
"Having reviewed the intelligence and decision making, I understand the rationale that was applied by GMP in deciding to issue the dispersal order."I can also confirm that this was not a pre-planned operation and GMP have advised that the high number of police officers on duty was due to the levels of footfall and events taking place including the Christmas markets."However, I do believe that there are lessons to be learned from what happened, and I have written to the Chief Constable to ask GMP to address a number of matters."
She continued to say: "I consider that the issues encountered on the day could have been anticipated sooner and that GMP could have planned and engaged the Romany Gypsy and Irish Traveller communities in advance.
"This could have prevented this dispersal order being issued and applied in the way that it was. I have also asked GMP to review and consider the implications of its decision to put children back on trains, including safeguarding considerations.
"GMP have confirmed that they will strive to continue engaging with these communities going forward to avoid similar situations arising in future. I have stressed that this engagement must now be a priority."Concerns have been expressed to me that the order was applied in a discriminatory manner. Where complaints have been made of this, they will be investigated by GMP’s Professional Standards Department. I will monitor the progress and outcomes of these cases carefully."The events have also surfaced some issues about how police ensure they act proportionately and do not unfairly discriminate in such situations. This is something that I will pursue at a national level."
Want more on the issues affecting the North? Our podcast, From the North answers the questions that matter to our region.