Police have descended on the Arndale shopping centre this evening after reports of a disturbance involving 200 youths.
Officers were called to the retail centre in Manchester city centre at 4.15pm today (Friday 16 December) after a large group of people gathered in the food court. Four have been arrested, GMP said.
The author, Lemn Sissay posted a video of the fracas on Twitter this evening, saying: "It is kicking off big time in food court of the Arndale."
READ MORE: Boy, 11, falls through the ice after he was thrown onto frozen pond
In the video, a huge group of youngsters can be seen gathering and shouting inside the shopping centre food court.
Police said the group of 'approximately 200 youths' were acting in an anti-social manner. Officers are currently in attendance and said to be working alongside security at the Arndale.
A spokesperson for GMP said: "At approximately 16:15pm today (Friday 16 December 2022), officers were called to reports of a disturbance at the Arndale Centre in Manchester City Centre.
"A large group of approximately over 200 youths are reported to have been acting in an anti-social manner. Officers are attending and are working alongside security at the Arndale to disperse the group."
In a later statement, they said: "Earlier today officers were called to reports anti social behaviour at the Arndale Centre in Manchester City Centre Four juveniles were arrested and enquiries are ongoing. There will be an increase high visibility patrols across the City centre."
A Manchester Arndale spokesman said: “We can confirm Greater Manchester Police were called to the centre on Friday 16th December 16:15 following a reported incident. The safety of shoppers and staff is of paramount importance and we continue to support the police regarding this matter.”
Read more of today's top stories here
READ NEXT:
- Joy for Labour as icy polling day leads to overwhelming by-election success
- Bodybuilder ex-cop who kneed and punched tragic Andre Moura during arrest can now be exposed as convicted steroid dealer
- Rapist thug forced victims to eat own faeces and falsely claimed to be Tyson Fury's relative
- Strep A death toll in children hits at least 19 as outbreak spreads
- Chef Paul Kitching has died - tributes are pouring in from the restaurant world
