Fighting breaks out in Piccadilly Gardens amid Manchester city centre protests

Fighting broke out in Piccadilly Gardens amid a series of protests in Manchester city centre. Hundreds of people have descended on the city centre as a number of demonstrations are held today (Saturday).

This morning, around 150 people joined one protest - entitled 'Stand Up For Your Country: Enough is Enough' - while a counter rally was attended by 350 demonstrators.

There were tense scenes in Piccadilly Gardens as the two groups were kept apart by rows of police officers. While counter protesters later left the area, demonstrators attending the ‘Enough is Enough’ remained in the area.

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Minutes later, video footage captured by the Manchester Evening News showed scuffles breaking out in Piccadilly Gardens. Metal fences were seen being hurled while punches were thrown by a number of people in the melee.

A large number of police officers could be seen attempting to keep order and dispersing people from the area. It has not been confirmed whether those involved in the fighting were part of the protests, but the violence broke out after one person appeared to have been 'chased from within the crowd' of demonstrators.

At least one person was seen being tackled to the floor by police officers. It is not yet clear whether any arrests have been made.

A dispersal order is currently in place across the whole of Manchester city centre until 7pm. Greater Manchester Police announced the measures this morning in light of the protests being held in the city.

The section 34 will afford officers extra powers to deal with anyone taking part in or causing anti-social behaviour, the force said.

Chief Inspector Natasha Evans said: "These powers have