Smooth sailing for the biggest weekend in Manchester's football calendar

It was one of the busiest weekends in the football calendar in Greater Manchester with both the Manchester derby and Wigan vs Bolton fixtures taking place on Saturday 17 January.

Thanks to the cooperation of fans, partners and a comprehensive policing operation, the weekend passed without any significant incidents or the need for major police intervention.

This year, fans may have noticed an increased presence of GMP officers and partner organisations raising awareness of violence against women and girls (VAWG) and supporting vulnerable people.

Our aim was to reinforce that football should be a safe and welcoming place for everyone and to equip the public with the knowledge of how to report behaviour that falls short of expected standards.

In collaboration with key partners, three information stalls were set up along common routes to Old Trafford on matchday.

These were staffed by GMP officers as well as colleagues from British Transport Police, Network Rail, Manchester City Council, Transport for Greater Manchester, Trafford Council, North West Ambulance Service, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and Manchester United.

The pop-up stalls offered advice and resources on:
• Recognising the signs of VAWG and how to respond safely
• Reporting options for anyone who witnesses or experiences harmful behaviour
• Support services available through GMP and partner organisations

Chief Superintendent Colette Rose, Head of Specialist Operations, said: “It was great to see so many of you engage with the stalls and take the information we were handing out.

“Fans created an energetic and vibrant atmosphere and the day concluded safely thanks to coordinated efforts between GMP and partners.

“A comprehensive policing operation was in effect not only at the stadiums but along key transport routes from Manchester city centre to Old Trafford.

“Across the two matches, seven arrests were made – a significant reduction from the 13 arrests recorded for the same fixtures last year. This decrease highlights the positive impact of proactive policing and partnership work in keeping matchdays safe.”

We also had our Live Facial Recognition van deployed for the first time at a football game in Greater Manchester. Again, it went by without incident and no arrests were made.

Building on this successful work, GMP will continue to collaborate with partners and football clubs to ensure matchdays remain welcoming, inclusive and safe for all.

At the end of the month, we will host a workshop at Force Headquarters which sports teams, arenas and all football clubs will be in attendance as we continue to engage with partners on shared experience and best practice with safeguarding at venues.