Greater Manchester is better than this

MAYOR AND POLICE CHIEF VOW TO BRING RIOTERS TO JUSTICE OVER VIOLENCE ON OUR STREETS

- ETHAN DAVIES

ANDY Burnham ‘will personally ensure’ GMP gets ‘all the resources they need to maintain control’ following a weekend of rioting in Greater Manchester.

Cops clashed with thugs in Piccadilly Gardens on Saturday, with fighting breaking out following a demonstration under the banner ‘Enough is Enough’.

A day later, missiles were thrown in Bolton during another protest, with the situation becoming even more tense following the arrival of a group of counter-demonstrators.

Later, leaders from both sides appeared to urge protesters not to throw objects, and the Enough is Enough demonstration was led away from the site of the stand-off under police escort. The violence led to 23 arrests and counting, with one man already fined for his part in the attacks.

Now, Mr Burnham has sought to reassure communities that cops will be able to keep the peace over the coming days. He told a press conference yesterday: “I will personally ensure GMP will have all the resources they need to maintain control of our streets – and law and order in our communities. All residents in Greater Manchester can be assured we can do everything within our power to keep you safe.”