A top police officer has expressed his disbelief over an illegal street party which saw police pelted with missiles as they tried to break up the event.
Deputy Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police (GMP) Ian Pilling said the "outrageous" behaviour, which is said to have involved hundreds of people, was the worst he had seen in 30 years of policing.
Officers were forced to call for significant back-up as they dealt with the large gatherings, which took place in the Gorton area of Manchester, for the second night running.
DCC Pilling said objects were thrown at officers as they attempted to intervene to stop a party in Harlow Drive, Gorton. The disorder followed large gatherings in the Wilmslow Road area of the city on Friday.
He said: “Despite having significant number of GMP officers on duty, supported by officers from North Wales and Cheshire, we were extremely stretched again yesterday with unprecedented demand.
“The last thing we need is large gatherings such as this, as well as unacceptable attacks on officers attending the scene.
“Quite frankly, it is beyond comprehension and I am incredibly disappointed that people feel they can gather in this way – blatantly flouting the rules.
“I can honestly say that in 30 years of policing I have never seen anything quite as outrageous as this behaviour. It is appalling.”
Snapchat videos show hundreds of people at the event, partying to loud music, according to the Manchester Evening News.
Greater Manchester Police are reviewing footage of the gathering, which appeared to take place in a giant gazebo.
The senior officer added: “We are still in the midst of a global pandemic and over 40,000 people have lost their lives.
“Greater Manchester is specifically affected to the extent we have a local lockdown and many places still have a rising infection rate. People behaving in this way are contributing to an already difficult situation.”
“GMP owes it to our communities to not tolerate this kind of behaviour,” Mr Pilling said.
Friday’s street gatherings on Pakistan Independence Day were condemned by Manchester Gorton MP Afzal Khan, who said he was disappointed, frustrated and angry at the “appalling” behaviour of those present.
The MP tweeted: “Not only is antisocial behaviour of this kind deeply disrespectful to Rusholme residents, ignoring the Covid-19 regulations puts us all at risk.”
