THE violence which erupted in Manchester and Bolton at the weekend when masked men were involved in running battles with riot police was 'orchestrated criminality' and had nothing to do with lawful protest, Chief Constable Stephen Watson has told the M.E.N.
Disorder hit towns and cities across the country, including in Greater Manchester, followed the fatal stabbings of three girls at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club in Southport last week. Incorrect rumours - that the suspect in the stabbings was an asylum seeker who arrived in the UK on a small boat - spread on social media and appears to have fuelled the unrest.
In a frank interview, the chief admitted the force 'is stretched' and was bracing itself for more trouble in the coming days. He revealed GMP has cancelled rest days and leave as part of an effort to corral a squad of 1,000 officers, some of them riot cops, available to mobile at any moment.
He revealed the violence which happened in Manchester city centre on Saturday and in Bolton on Sunday was 'orchestrated' and that a dedicated 'arrest cell' led by a senior officer has been set up to comb through CCTV and H police body-cam footage to bring troublemakers to justice.
Denne historien er fra August 07, 2024-utgaven av Manchester Evening News.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra August 07, 2024-utgaven av Manchester Evening News.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Ras on-message after finding net on injury return
UNITED striker Rasmus Hojlund issued a staunch message in an edited social media post after their 3-3 draw with FC Porto.
Sale hold off late flurry to tough out big result
SALE Sharks returned to title-challenging form with a 31-27 victory over a free-flowing Gloucester side.
Ainslie leads GB to America's Cup
GREAT Britain secured a place in the America's Cup for the first time in 60 years as four-time Olympic champion Ben Ainslie skippered Ineos Britannia to victory over Italy.
PM's 'renewal' pledge
SIR Keir Starmer said he wants to \"relight the fires of renewal in areas hit hard by deindustrialization, as he pledged £22bn for carbon capture and storage projects.
Navy chief 'sorry' for crew bullying
THE head of the Royal Navy has apologised after an investigation found \"misogyny, bullying and other unacceptable behaviours\" in the submarine service.
PCs get jobs back after athlete search dismissal
TWO former Metropolitan Police officers have been handed their jobs back and will receive back-pay after winning an appeal against a ruling that they lied about smelling cannabis during a stopand-search of British athlete Bianca Williams and her partner.
Roadworks hell is forcing me to sell my home
A PARTIALLY-sighted woman who says she has been a 'prisoner' in her own home for months while work on Stretford Mall and its surrounding road network has been ongoing has put her house up for sale.
This was an explosion just waiting to happen
GRANDMOTHER'S VIEW ON WHAT LED TO SON MURDERING HIS MUM.
'Andy, his family, and the rape victim all deserve justice
FOUR EX-COPS FACE INVESTIGATION AFTER MAN'S 17 YEARS IN PRISON FOR CRIME HE DIDN'T COMMIT
Riot thug with 'broad concern for children' says he isn't a racist
A SMIRKING thug who stood 'shoulder to shoulder' with the farright denies being a racist.
