Watchdog probes claims GMP's investigation into use of dispersal order which saw Travellers turned away from city centre was 'deeply flawed'

Travellers, many of them children, were turned away from Manchester's Christmas Markets and put on trains out of town

The police watchdog is to carry out a review into allegations GMP's internal investigation into the controversial use of a dispersal order - which saw hundreds of people from Traveller communities turned away from Manchester city centre before Christmas - was 'deeply flawed'.

The force enforced the order, covering the whole of the city centre, 'following reports of trouble among people heading into town' on Saturday, November 23.

Video was widely shared on social media, with clips showing officers turning people away, among them dozens of children from Traveller communities. People were ushered onto trains heading out of town at Victoria station.

GMP has previously defended its decision to issue the 'dispersal order', which gives officers powers to force people to leave a defined geographic 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'. The incident prompted Travellers to march through Manchester city centre in protest, 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 internal 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' Traveller before their arrival in the city centre.

Now, following a request by The Traveller Movement, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has agreed to carry out a review of the force's handling of the affair.

The campaigning charity has repeated allegations of 'racial profiling' and use of 'excessive force' in removing young Travellers, some as young as 10, from the city centre. It repeated claims the police action was 'disproportionate'.

The Traveller Movement says GMP breached statutory powers under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, the Equality Act 2010, and the European Convention on Human Rights.

It described GMP's subsequent investigation as 'deeply flawed' and 'lacking transparency'. The force failed to substantiate claims the young Travellers were coming to Manchester city centre 'with intent to commit crime or disorder', the charity claims.

GMP failed to provide 'justification' for the use of the so-called 'section 34' dispersal order and provided 'no evidence' that alternative measures were considered, The Traveller Movement added.

The force failed to provide 'safeguarding' for removed children and 'dismisses' concerns that traveller children were discriminated against, it said.

Demanding a public apology from the force, Pauline Melvin-Anderson, an Irish Traveller and chair of the Traveller Movement, said: "GMP's response is a blatant attempt to justify the unjustifiable. Our children were humiliated, physically harmed, and placed in vulnerable situations because of discriminatory assumptions about their communities. GMP's response is deeply flawed and lacks transparency. We will not rest until a full inquiry takes place."

Ryan Bradshaw, lawyer at law at Leigh Day solicitors which represents the Traveller Movement, said the GMP response 'adds insult to injury' and 'glosses over' alleged safeguarding failures.

An IOPC spokesperson said: "If a complainant is unhappy with the way a police force has handled its complaint or the outcome of that complaint, in certain circumstances they can ask the IOPC to review it.

"We received a request, on 7 April, to review Greater Manchester Police’s handling and the outcome of a complaint made about the way the force dealt with matters in November 2024 involving a group of young people and children who had travelled to Manchester. We have requested all the relevant papers from the force so that we can start that review."

Assistant Chief Constable Rick Jackson, of GMP, said: "Any use of police powers is not taken lightly and they are used with a great deal of consideration. Our ultimate aim is always to prevent crime and protect the public.

"I have met with representatives of the Romani Gypsy, Roma and Irish Traveller community and we now have a GRT representative on our Independent Advisory Group so their views can be represented.

"During the meeting, we expressed our regret at the distress and upset the events of 23 November caused.

"We continue to reflect and review how we police similar situations in the future and are working with all relevant partners to ensure we are providing the best possible service to all those who live, work and visit our city.

"We are already planning for how we police the Christmas markets later this year where we can ensure all who plan to come to Manchester safely can do so, especially families and young people."