Police issue statement after reports of chaos outside Manchester Pride stage

Police have issued a statement after reports of people being 'crushed' outside the entrance to a major Manchester Pride venue on Friday night.

The incident happened shortly after Gok Wan's set, which concluded at around 9.45pm. Jessie J was set to headline the stage from 10.15pm. Huge crowds of people were seen filling an area outside the entrance to the main Village Stage.

Pictures taken from outside the venue show the large crowds attempting to access the stage area which signs indicated had hit full capacity. A Pride spokesperson said the event was 'under control' and that no incidents were reported to organisers, with no serious injuries reported.

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However, one attendee, who asked to remain anonymous, said barriers had fallen down as swathes of people attempted to push their way through the gates before police were called in.

"I am stuck in the queue to get to the main stage," they said. "They're at capacity and people were going in couple by couple. Then the gates opened and people were pushing forwards, the barriers were falling over, and now we are trapped."

Another attendee described it as 'absolute chaos' and said other ticket holders had attempted to access the stage through the exit.

Our reporter who was at the annual pride event, said there were 'ten police officers outside the main stage' and that people were seen 'arguing with officers' after being denied entry.

People also posted on social media, with @MrCraigAllen writing on X that attendees waiting outside the venue were being 'crushed' into the barriers.

A GMP spokesman said: "At 10:15pm this evening [Friday] we were made aware by event organisers that the performance taking place at the main stage