Stand-off involving 30,000 protesters passes off peacefully
A STAND-OFF between police and anti-Tory protesters near the Conservative Party conference ended peacefully.
Smoke bombs were thrown and demonstrators, some wearing masks to hide their identity, chanted “Let us out!” after police refused to allow a van to join the march route yesterday because it did not have security clearance.
About 25 police officers lined up to block the road and stood silently as the protesters’ chants continued.
Police vans and mounted officers were later sent to Liverpool Road as the protesters refused to move, and a force helicopter hovered overhead.
The group was trying to join the People’s Assembly march as it made its way through the centre of Manchester.
After about an hour, police searched the van and allowed it to be driven off.
The tensions erupted as the march set off after a rally at Castlefield Arena.
Public and Commercial Services Union boss Mark Serwotka called for a general strike on public sector pay to “bring the Tories down”, saying Tory policies were “literally killing people”.
Chief Superintendent John O’Hare, who is leading the Greater Manchester Police operation for the conference, said up to 30,000 people took part in protests in the city centre.
“No arrests were made during the marches and this is a testament to those who attended and the organisers who took responsibility for the events and worked closely with us to ensure a safe and successful operation,” he said.
“There is still a major policing operation in place.”