Huge police response at University of Manchester as protesters 'barricade' exam building

There was a huge police response at the University of Manchester last night as more protesters tried to get into an exam building on campus.

A large number of police vehicles were pictured along Oxford Road in the centre of the campus at around 8.30pm on Monday (May 27). The response included a specialist Tactical Aid Unit van.

A UoM spokesperson said officers were called to a demonstration on campus. It involved a 'large group including many who were not students'. Police were on the scene to 'prevent the protesters from gaining unauthorised access to the Whitworth Hall complex'.

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However, over the weekend, some students already gained entry into the historic building after 'unlawfully barricading' the entrances. The students broke onto a balcony, the University spokesperson said, and have refused to leave.

The building is where exams were due to take place, with bosses 'deeply disappointed' that new plans have had to be put in place for students. Greater Manchester Police have been contacted for further details.

In a statement, a University of Manchester spokesperson said: "Over the weekend, a group of students from our University gained unauthorised access to the Whitworth Hall complex. Various entrances and access points have been unlawfully barricaded, and occupiers have broken onto a balcony, which poses significant health and safety risks to the occupiers and others.

"We are in discussions with the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Services about these risks, which go well beyond those we have seen previously. We have written to the individuals occupying the Whitworth Hall complex, requesting that they vacate the premises to