Police issue Parklife 2024 dispersal order and increase powers after 'problems'

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Police have issued a dispersal order for Parklife Festival as an epic two days of music and performances get underway this morning (June 8).

Greater Manchester Police officers say the crackdown on anti-social behaviour comes after 'problems in recent years with groups attending who do not have tickets, causing issues for genuine festival-goers and residents', as well as a 'small minority' making the experience unpleasant for others trying to have a good time.

The dispersal order will give police heightened powers to break up large groups and deal with any anti-social behaviour. The force has said the order will be in place across Heaton Park and its surrounding streets from 10am on June 8 to 4am Monday June 10. READ MORE: Parklife 2024 entry times, lineup, venue, stages and everything else you need to know 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.