Manchester 2024

Following on from the recent mass dispersal order implemented in Manchester to young Romani(Gypsies), Roma and Irish Traveller young people on Saturday 23th November, we have compiled the below list of resources. Please keep an eye on this page for further updates. 

Romani Gypsies and Irish Traveller communities accuse Manchester Police of “shocking” discrimination after children forced away from Christmas markets

A charity representing Romani Gypsy, Roma and Irish Traveller communities has brought a complaint against Greater Manchester Police (GMP) after children were allegedly turned away from the Manchester Christmas markets and forced onto trains.

The Traveller Movement charity say Romani Gypsies and Irish Travellers were unlawfully targeted, marginalised and racially profiled after officers used excessive force on children as young as 10 years old.

In a letter of complaint sent to GMP by Leigh Day on Thursday 19 December, the Traveller Movement argue GMP’s actions were in breach of various duties that must be considered when the police exercise their statutory powers – specifically regarding excessive force/battery, false imprisonment, negligence and safeguarding.

Video footage circulated online showed distressed children being forced through Manchester Victoria train station on Saturday 23 November 2024 after being met by a large number of GMP officers.

Children as young as 10 were forced onto trains heading to unknown destinations, separated from family members, and subjected to physical aggression, including shoving, hair-pulling, and handcuffing. Several individuals reported officers making disparaging remarks about their ethnicity, such as referring to them as ‘pikeys’. Witnesses also described officers removing their badge numbers.

In a statement released the same day as the incident, GMP said a 48-hour dispersal notice was put in place shortly after midday following alleged reports of “anti-social behaviour” on trains and in the city.

The Traveller Movement allege that at no point did GMP officers make enquiries as to where the children were from or seek to ensure they were placed on trains that would get them home. They say no effort was made to ensure appropriate safeguarding procedures were in place or to enlist responsible adults to manage the situation. They say officers never got onto trains with the children to ensure their safety after they had been placed in a vulnerable situation.

The charity allege the children were unlawfully targeted and racially profiled.

In a statement issued by GMCA on 17 December, Deputy Mayor for Safer and Stronger Communities Kate Green has also said there are “lessons to be learned” from what happened.

The Traveller Movement has instructed human rights partner Ryan Bradshaw at Leigh Day to bring a complaint against GMP for the following:

1. Breaches of various duties in respect of excessive force/battery, false imprisonment, negligence and safeguarding.
2. Potential contraventions of the Equality Act 2010, the European Convention on Human Rights and Human Rights Act 1998.

A parent described the experiences of their two sons, aged 13 and 10: 

“As a parent, I am outraged by how my children were treated. My 13-year-old son was manhandled, shouted at, and forced onto a train to an unattended destination, despite our pleas for the police to prioritise his safety. My 10-year-old was stopped and searched on the mere suspicion of carrying a weapon, with no evidence and no justification – targeted purely because of his heritage.

“We teach our children to trust the police, to see them as protectors. But how can I ask my sons to trust officers who dismissed their safety, refused to communicate with me, and treated them with such hostility and prejudice? This experience has left my children traumatised, and it has shattered any faith we had in the system that is supposed to safeguard them. No child should be made to feel unwelcome in their own country because of who they are.”

Yvonne MacNamara, CEO of the Traveller Movement, said: 

“The treatment of Romani Gypsies and Irish Traveller children in this incident is nothing short of appalling. These children were not just excluded from enjoying the Christmas festivities; they were humiliated, manhandled, and denied basic respect and safeguarding by the very authorities tasked with protecting them.”

Pauline Melvin-Anderson OBE, Irish Traveller and Chair of the Traveller Movement, said: 

“This is yet another example of the shocking discrimination our communities face daily, and we will not stand by while children are subjected to such trauma and injustice. Greater Manchester Police must acknowledge their actions and take immediate steps to address the apparent prejudice that leads to such incidents. Every child, regardless of their background, has the right to feel safe, valued, and included.”

Ryan Bradshaw, lawyer at law firm Leigh Day, said: 

“The alleged actions taken by Greater Manchester Police are deeply troubling, young children on their way to the Christmas markets appear to have been treated like football hooligans on a rampage. It is crucial that safeguarding responsibilities are upheld in interactions with all young people, regardless of their heritage or ethnicity. This incident represents a clear failure in that regard. We believe a truly independent inquiry should urgently be convened if lessons are to be learned and trust restored.”

A copy of the letter of complaint can be found here.

Leeds GATE – contact@leedsgate.co.uk or 0113 240 2444

Leicestershire GATE – Jackie.duffy@leicestershiregate.com or 0116 305 5421

YORK Travellers Trust – info@ytt.org.uk or 01904 630526

Travelling Ahead TGP Cymru – travellingahead@tgpcymru.org.uk or 01633 509 544

The Traveller Movement – info@travellermovement.org.uk or 020 7607 2002.

GATE Herts UK– manager@gateherts.org.uk or 01707 247 088.

Kushti-Bok – info.kushtibok@gmail.com or 01202 474 174/07557127559

Romani Pride – HOME | Pride of Romany

Friends, Families and Travellers – fft@gypsy-traveller.org or 01273 234 777

London Gypsies and Travellers (UK Registered Charity) – info@londongandt.org.uk or 02085332002

Southwark Travellers Action Group -manager@southwarktravellersaction.org.uk or 02073586818.

Any other services can be found in FFT’s directory of organisations here: https://ow.ly/Fqmy50UlBgc

Manchester Police have this afternoon allegedly blocked Romani Gypsies and Irish Traveller children from attending the Christmas markets.

This heavy-handed and discriminatory action has left children upset and distressed, with parents deeply concerned about the treatment that their children have faced.

We have been contacted by numerous parents and received video footage of Romani Gypsy and Irish Traveller children arriving into Manchester, and then being forced onto a different train and prevented from leaving the station by police. These children were simply trying to enjoy the festivities like everyone else but instead have been unfairly targeted and marginalised.

This is a shocking case and it is completely unacceptable. We will not stand by while our communities are discriminated against and excluded in this way.

Manchester Police must be held accountable for their alleged actions and take immediate steps to end this blatant injustice.

Anyone impacted by today’s events can contact Olivia Hammond on esju@travellermovement.org.uk or on 07908 433413. For any other enquiries, contact yvonne@travellermovement.org.uk

📢 Update on the Mass Dispersal Order Manchester 🚨

Today, Traveller Movement (TM) joined sector colleagues in discussions with solicitors to explore the best course of legal action. Several options were considered, and a decision on how TM will move forward will be made tomorrow.

Separately, TM has assisted in organising a meeting with the Mayor’s Office for key community leaders whose local children were directly impacted by this order. This is an important step toward ensuring Romani (Gypsy), Roma and Irish Traveller voices are heard at the highest level.

We’ll keep you updated on the outcomes of these meetings as they unfold.

In the meantime, please continue sending in your evidence—it is vital for building a strong case and ensuring accountability.

🛑 Together, we stand stronger.

#TravellerRights #CommunityAction #MassDispersalOrder #LegalAction

📢 Update: Challenging Discrimination in Greater Manchester 🚨

Yesterday, the Traveller Movement met with Kate Green, Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester, alongside key community voices and organizations, to address the shocking treatment of Romani Gypsy and Irish Traveller children.

Representatives included:

• Billy Welch
• Siobhan Spencer (Derbyshire Gypsy Traveller Liaison Group)
• Violet Cannon (York Travellers Trust)
• Martin Gallagher (Travelling Ahead)
• Sally Carr (GMEA)
• Josie O’Driscoll and Joseph Baker (GateHerts)
• FFT, LeedsGate, Irish Community Care Liverpool, and Irish Community Care Manchester.

The discussion centered on the hostile environment created during the Christmas markets, where a mass dispersal order was used to prevent children from attending. This resulted in disproportionate and unacceptable treatment.

Key Issues Raised:

🛑 Safeguarding concerns, including the trauma experienced by children.

⚖️ Accountability and transparency in police operations.

🤝 The lasting negative impact on community relations.

❓ The disproportionate use of power and resources against children engaged in peaceful activities.

The Deputy Mayor has committed to pursuing actions to ensure answers and address these concerns.

Our collective voice calls for justice, transparency, and change to prevent further harm and rebuild trust.

Stay tuned as we work with partners to ensure the voices of our communities are heard and action is taken.

#TravellerMovement #Accountability #Transparency #CommunityJustice  #TravellerRights #CommunityAction #MassDispersalOrder #LegalAction

Update: Challenging Discrimination in Greater Manchester

We are pleased to share that ITN Law firm will be handling individual cases moving forward. To help families start the self-referral process or agencies. They are able to provide confidential advice to anyone who contacts them. This may be in relation to a complaint or a civil claim against the police, or just general advice about their options. If your child is under 18, they will need to have a litigation friend (eg a parent, grandparent, guardian or carer) until they turn 18. This is usually straightforward, and the solicitors can help them to organise this.

Contact Details for ITN Solicitors

An email should be sent directly to khallam@itnsolicitors.com For families who may prefer to call, they can contact Kate or Gabrielle 020 3909 8100. A member of the firm will call them back.

Template Email for You to Use

The below wording should be used in the email referral:

Dear Kate My name is xxx . My child was involved in the Manchester Markets GMP case November 23th. I would like some confidential advice. My email is xxx My phone number is xxx

Please note that the relationship will be directly between the clients and the law firm not the agency.

#TravellerMovement #Accountability #Transparency #CommunityJustice  #TravellerRights #CommunityAction #MassDispersalOrder #LegalAction

Update: December 7th Meeting with Greater Manchester Police Regarding Mass Dispersal Order

On Friday, December 7th, key representatives from Romani Gypsy and Irish Traveller communities met with Greater Manchester Police (GMP), including Assistant Chief Constable (ACC) Rick Jackson, to address concerns surrounding the recent mass dispersal order that disproportionately affected Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller (GRT) children and families.

The Traveller Movement’s Advocacy and Caseworker, Romani Gypsy Liv Hammond—whose own family and friends were directly impacted—attended the meeting alongside influential community figures, including:

• Siobhan Spencer, CEO of Derbyshire Gypsy Traveller Liaison Group (Romani Gypsy)
• Martin Gallagher, Travelling Ahead Wales (Irish Traveller)
• Billy Walsh, key organizer of Appleby Fair (Romani Gypsy), who shared the impact on his nieces and nephews

Also in attendance were:

• Sarah Mann, CEO of Friends, Families and Travellers
• Martin Naughan, social worker based in Manchester
• Patrick Morrison, CEO of Irish Community Care Manchester

During the meeting, GMP cited “intelligence” as the basis for their actions, claiming planned fights, violence, excessive drinking on trains, and a reported visits of “500-600 Travellers” into Manchester city centre. However, when pressed, GMP failed to provide concrete evidence to substantiate these claims, stating instead that it was “protected intelligence.”

Community representatives challenged GMP’s operational decisions, questioning why plans were not adjusted when it became very clear that the intelligence was inaccurate. Rather than violent gangs, those impacted by the dispersal order were children visiting the Christmas markets with their families. Children were left separated and displaced, bruised and traumatized. Representatives emphasized that trust had been broken and that Romani Gypsy and Irish Traveller communities nationally felt angry and humiliated.

GMP stated they could not comment on individual cases or video footage due to an ongoing investigation. However, they acknowledged that a small number of complaints had been lodged, promised to investigate, and stated that a report would be produced for the Mayor’s office. They apologized for any distress and humiliation caused and offered to meet with community representatives again to discuss outcomes.

Community representatives stressed the need for full accountability and transparency, urging GMP to issue a public apology and consider self-referring the incident to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

Liv Hammond highlighted the community’s distress:

“This dispersal order caused unnecessary trauma to children and families who were simply trying to enjoy the festive season. The lack of evidence and accountability is unacceptable, and we will continue to push for answers and justice.”

The Traveller Movement, alongside its allies, remains committed to seeking redress for those affected. Updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.

For information on legal support for the community members please follow this link.

The Traveller Movement continues to pursue a formal complaint with the IOPC, supported by legal counsel.

#TravellerMovement #Accountability #Transparency #CommunityJustice #TravellerRights #CommunityAction #MassDispersalOrder #LegalAction