GMP is proposing to make public order training for officers mandatory. The move comes as the region regularly hosts major sporting events, political conferences and sees demonstrations, both peaceful and volatile, on its streets.
There is also the simmering potential for unrest as inflation remains high, the economy struggles, industrial action is taken and threatened and energy bills are set to increase massively, plunging more into poverty.
The force is already required to police home games at Manchester City and United, which can bring a large influx of away fans into the city centre, especially for European matches. In recent years there have also been major marches and demonstrations. These include Black Lives Matter protests following the death of unarmed black man George Floyd in the US., a cost of living protest in February; and consecutive weekends of people gathering in Piccadilly Gardens to show solidarity with Ukraine in the war with Russia.
