19 Arrests Made Over Tory Conference As Security Stepped Up
19 people have been arrested in Manchester, over the Tory Party Conference.
Anti-austerity protests have been taking place in the city centre since Sunday, as a result, police across Manchester stepped up security.
Chief Superintendent John O’Hare said:
“Manchester has been host to the Conservative Party Conference since Saturday 3 October 2015.
“Over the last five days we have managed an incredibly complex security operation for the conference that has been more challenging than any we have seen over the past 10 years. During this time we also managed the largest ever demonstration in Greater Manchester when 60,000 people marched through our city.
“Throughout, officers have worked incredibly hard to, not only protect the government and maintain a secure site, but to facilitate the democratic right of thousands of people who have come to our city to protest.
“This year there has been a far greater amount of protest and direct activism than ever before which has created significant challenges to an already difficult operation.
“We have worked closely with the Conservative Party and continually reviewed our operation throughout the conference to seek the right balance to facilitate people’s right to free speech and legitimate protest. On occasions where this line has been crossed, we have taken direct action to deal with this.
"Officers have worked in the most challenging of environments and I am proud of the way in which they performed their duties in a professional, tolerant and fair manner.
“They have taken positive action when required and as a result, 19 people have been arrested.”
This includes the arrest of a 23 man in the City centre - for acting suspiciously on the Metrolink...
Officers received reports of his behaviour just before 9am this morning.
He was taken into custody by armed police on Mount Street - to prevent a breach of the peace.
An investigation is underway.