Dispersal order in place after huge groups of youths spill out into streets in scenes of 'mayhem'

A dispersal order has been put in place after a huge group of youths spilled out into the street in scenes of 'mayhem' in Rochdale.

It was reported that a house party had 'got out of hand' before the crowds of teenagers gathered on Charlton Street, the new-build estate off Manchester Road, near St Martin's Church.

Officers are said to have responded to multiple 999 calls from Castleton in Rochdale on Saturday evening (July 8). Police said they were called at around 7.30pm to 'several' reports of the youths behaving antisocially in the area.

Try MEN Premium for FREE by clicking here for no ads, fun puzzles and brilliant new features.

Officers attended to break up the huge crowds, with a dispersal order put in place for 48 hours, to give police extra powers to split up groups of two or more people if they believe their behaviour is causing a nuisance.

Videos circulating on social media showed police vans and cars arriving at the scene on Saturday night, with officers running towards groups of shouting youths. One person was seen to be led away by police.

Dozens were also seen gathering along Manchester Road, shouting and running as police arrive. One resident who witnessed the scenes said it was 'chaos' and that buses couldn't get through the road for a time because of the amount of people involved.

Another described the situation as 'mayhem' and claimed more than a hundred youths were involved.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said:" At approximately 7:30pm yesterday (08/07/2023) officers were called to several reports of a large group of youths involved in antisocial behaviour along Charlton Street in Rochdale.

"Officers attended and dispersal order was put in place for 48 hours. Dispersal orders provide