Police issue Parklife 2024 dispersal order and increase powers after ‘problems’

Police have issued a dispersal order for Parklife Festival as an epic two days of music and performances get underway this morning (June 8). Greater Manchester Police [1] officers say the crackdown on anti-social behaviour comes after ‘problems in recent years with groups attending who do not have tickets, causing issues for genuine festival-goers and residents’, as well as a ‘small minority’ making the experience unpleasant for others trying to have a good time. The dispersal order will give police heightened powers to break up large groups and deal with any anti-social behaviour.

The force has said the order will be in place across Heaton Park [2] and its surrounding streets from 10am on June 8 to 4am Monday June 10. The exclusion area boundaries include the M60 [4] motorway including the Junction 19 roundabout, Middleton [5] Road down to and including Bowker Vale tram stop, Sainsbury’s off Middleton Road, Meade Hill Road and ‘triangle’, Sheepfoot Lane, Bury [6] Old Road from Sheepfoot Lane to Heywood [7] Road, Heaton Park tram stop and Heywood Road onto Simister Lane to the M60. Superintendent Andy Sidebotham, who is leading the policing operation for Parklife, said: “A Section 35 dispersal order has been pre-authorised by Greater Manchester Police for this weekend in a given area surrounding Heaton Park.

The Parklife dispersal order map (Image: GMP)

“The order gives police temporary heightened powers to disperse large groups and is intended to support local communities by helping GMP deal with any anti-social behaviour that may occur.

“As the largest metropolitan festival in the UK, we expect that a small minority of those attending may cause issues. We have also seen problems in recent years with groups attending who do not have tickets, causing issues for genuine festival-goers and residents. “We know the vast majority attend to enjoy themselves and have a good time, so this order is in place to stop a small minority from causing issues.

“So if you see our officers out patrolling the festival site, please feel comfortable to speak to them if you have concerns – they are here to help you.”

References

^ Greater Manchester Police (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
^ Heaton Park (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
^ Parklife 2024 entry times, lineup, venue, stages and everything else you need to know (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
^ M60 (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
^ Middleton (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
^ Bury (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
^ Heywood (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)