Neighbours heard 'screaming' and saw youths 'carted off' after mayhem broke out in a Rochdale suburb. Residents say 'more than 100' people were seen causing chaos in Castleton on Saturday evening (July 8) following a house party that 'got out of hand'.
The incident began to unfold on Charlton Street, on the new-build estate off Manchester Road, where the carnage continued. Greater Manchester Police says it was called out to reports of anti-social behaviour and issued a 48-hour dispersal order, ending tonight (Monday), following the mayhem.
Footage showed officers urging the teenagers to clear off the road to allow a bus to pass, an altercation near a wall and youths running along Manchester Road. Residents told the Manchester Evening News of their shock at what had unfolded during 'unprecedented' scenes.
Try MEN Premium for FREE by clicking here for no ads, fun puzzles and brilliant new features
"They were right outside the house," said Manchester Road resident Jack Lord. "It started on the new estate, about 30 minutes later they were here.
"I don't know if they were scrapping on the green but there were police everywhere. It was chaos. It was just the noise of all the police and the sirens that drew my attention to it.
"I wasn't actually sure what they were doing apart from there being a lot of them and being noisy. A couple of them were carted off in vans.
"You see loads of kids hanging around the Arndale, it was that sort of thing. I've never seen it in the village before - anything like it."
One resident, living close to where the gathering began, said he was 'p***** off about it'. The group were seen spilling onto Charlton Street before being moved to Manchester Road.
Dennie Leigh Tivey reported seeing the group 'escorted away' from Charlton Street. "I could hear screaming and stuff, but I didn't see much else," she said.
"We've lived here nearly seven years and never had anything like it before." Eyewitnesses reported seeing some members of the group being detained by police on Manchester Road, as officers swarmed the street.
Manchester Road residents said the ordeal lasted for a 'good long while'. Liz Ames, who lives on the street, said: "I heard the noise - I just thought it was a kids' party.
"There was a lot of police, much more than you normally see. It's a through road for all the emergency vehicles and we do get a lot, but there were loads - loads, and loads, and loads."
GMP is continuing to investigate the incident. The force confirmed 'at least one person' has been arrested and bailed in connection with the incident.
Join our WhatsApp Top Stories and Breaking News group by clicking this link
A spokesperson for GMP said: "At approximately 7.30pm on Saturday (July 8) officers were called to reports of a large group of youths involved in antisocial behaviour along Charlton Street in Rochdale. Officers attended and a dispersal order was put in place for 48 hours.
"Dispersal orders provide the police with the extra powers to break up groups of two or more people, where they believe their behaviour is causing a nuisance, harassment, or distress. Enquiries are currently ongoing."
