Parents of teenagers escorted onto trains out of Manchester city centre amid dispersal order hit out at GMP - as kids from traveller communities caught in crowds

Greater Manchester Police have defended the use of a dispersal order in Manchester city centre after footage shared on social showed scores of young people - many understood to be from traveller communities - being escorted onto trains heading out of town.

The footage shows dozens of uniformed police officers ushering teenagers onto trains at Victoria station. The force has confirmed it was part of a 'dispersal order' to prevent trouble in the city centre. They say they broke up two fights among youths this afternoon (Saturday, November 23).

Parents of youngsters from traveller communities caught up in the police operation at the station contacted the Manchester Evening News to complain about GMP's response.

READ MORE: Dispersal order in force across city centre as 'youths gather to cause trouble'

Sarah Smith, from Stoke-on-Trent, said her daughters - aged 21 and 14 - came to visit the markets and see friends. She told the M.E.N: "They've just come here to go shopping. It was a day at the markets and visit family and friends and do a little bit of Christmas shopping.

It's ridiculous and embarrassing when you are a traveller. They've turned up to meet their cousins and do a bit of girlie shopping. This is not the way to treat the travelling community."

Another parent, who asked not to be named, added: "They're just going to the Christmas markets. There are kids there who are 12 and 13, dressing up to meet their friends. Are they really causing trouble? It's ridiculous."

John King, 42, from Nottinghamshire, said his 19-year-old daughter and sons, aged 13 and 16, travelled to Manchester by taxi to meet up with friends, adding: "All the travellers are going up there to meet up and to go around the markets. They haven't