“Manchester Tram Services Halted Amid Britain First March”

Tram services in Manchester city center came to a stop this afternoon due to an ongoing Britain First march. Supporters of the far-right group gathered at Store Street near Manchester’s Piccadilly station around noon, setting off towards St Peter’s Square just before 1.10pm. A counter-protest by anti-racism groups, under the name Resist Britain First, also convened at Piccadilly Gardens. City visitors were advised to anticipate disruptions to roads and Metrolink services. Stops at Piccadilly Gardens, Market Street, and St Peter’s Square were closed, confirmed by the Bee Network. The Metrolink suspension followed counter-protesters obstructing tram tracks in the city center, later dispersed by the police. Greater Manchester Police are focused on minimizing disruptions and ensuring safety in the Piccadilly Gardens area. Additional powers have been granted to the police to manage potential disturbances during the protests, including dispersal orders and enhanced stop and search measures. Both protest groups have mostly cooperated peacefully, with police working to facilitate safe demonstrations. The police presence has been significantly increased after previous violent incidents during a Britain First march in February, leading to multiple arrests and altercations with counter-protesters.