Dispersal order is in place for Parklife Festival this weekend

The order will be in place at Heaton Park and its surrounding streets, starting at 10am on Saturday 8 June and finishing at 4am on Monday 10 June, giving officers temporary heightened powers to disperse large groups.

The exclusion area boundaries include the M60 motorway including the Junction 19 roundabout, Middleton Road down to and including Bowker Vale tram stop, Sainsbury’s off Middleton Road, Meade Hill Road and ‘triangle’, Sheepfoot Lane, Bury Old Road from Sheepfoot Lane to Heywood Road, Heaton Park tram stop and Heywood Road onto Simister Lane to the M60.

Superintendent Andy Sidebotham, who is leading the policing operation for Parklife, said: “A Section 35 dispersal order has been pre-authorised by Greater Manchester Police for this weekend in a given area surrounding Heaton Park.

“The order gives police temporary heightened powers to disperse large groups and is intended to support local communities by helping GMP deal with any anti-social behaviour that may occur.

“As the largest metropolitan festival in the UK, we expect that a small minority of those attending may cause issues. We have also seen problems in recent years with groups attending who do not have tickets, causing issues for genuine festival-goers and residents.

“We know the vast majority attend to enjoy themselves and have a good time, so this order is in place to stop a small minority from causing issues.

“So if you see our officers out patrolling the festival site, please feel comfortable to speak to them if you have concerns – they are here to help you.”