Salford given a dispersal order after reports of a group of people “setting up audio equipment on the roof”

All of Salford has been placed under a dispersal order after GMP broke up a large gathering of people on the roof of a flat.

The incident happened this evening at roughly 7 pm on Worral street, in Ordsall.

A nearby resident said: “We saw police escort 40 people from the roof terrace and down the side street carrying sound systems.”

In a statement put out on GMP’s Facebook page, officers wrote: “Officers attended and safely dispersed the group.

“As part of this, a dispersal order has been put place.

Superintendent Colette Rose said: “First and foremost, I would like to thank the vast majority of people who are complying with the Covid-19 restrictions and reporting those who aren’t.

“They are providing us with vital intelligence which is allowing us to safely disperse gatherings which we know could result in serious incidents.

“The gathering in Salford this evening consisted of dozens of people.

“We believe many of these had travelled into Greater Manchester from a neighbouring county.

“I am pleased to say that this gathering has been safely dispersed, though officers will remain in the area throughout this evening to ensure that the attendees don’t regroup.

“I hope tonight’s action reassures members of the public that Greater Manchester Police takes reports of breaches seriously and that officers are deployed to follow them up.

“These specially trained officers attend and, in cases where offences are identified, take appropriate action and work to identify those responsible for this reckless behaviour.”