Witnesses have reported trespassers breaking onto the site of the Manchester Arena memorialover the weekend, leaving the families of those killed in the atrocity ‘devastated’.
People were seen ‘vomiting and urinating’ on The Glade of Light garden, which is still under construction.
The incident over the weekend was witnessed by the families of those who died in the atrocity at the Manchester Arena back in 2017.
They reported people dragging the fences away to walk through the memorial garden, with some walking across the concrete halo centrepiece bearing the names of the victims.
Plans for Glade of Light, which is still under construction. Credit: Manchester City Council
Caroline Curry, whose son Liam was killed in the terrorist incident along with his girlfriend Chloe Rutherford, tweeted: “@ManCityCouncil arrived earlier and found the fencing around the glade has been moved and people walking thru & round the glade.
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“I’ve witnessed urinating, vomiting, attempted theft, drug use and finally a drunk who claims to be/have been in the army walk across the halo.
“When asked to get down his response “I don’t give a fuck what it is” so my question is, Where is the RESPECT we were told to expect from the people of Manchester?
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“Certainly none of that tonight!! And clearly they can’t read either!!
“I can’t wait til the day I never have to come back to this place!! The only place I know where waccie baccie is a constant smell in the air!! Feeling totally devastated by it all”
I can’t wait til the day I never have to come back to this place!! The only place I know where waccie baccie is a constant smell in the air!! Feeling totally devastated by it all 💔 pic.twitter.com/kQxfUlHhXe
Claire Brewster’s sister Kelly Brewster was another victim of the Manchester Arena attack.
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She posted yesterday: “Devastated to arrive in Manchester tonight & see people moving the fences to walk through the memorial @ManCityCouncil thought it wasn’t opening until next year? Tried putting the fence back ourselves and people are just dragging it out of the way!”
Figen Murray, mother of Martyn Hett, said: “Not sure what can be done about human beings who clearly have not been brought up with decency & respect for others! Shame on them! Upset about you being quite rightly distressed witnessing all that!!”
Councillor Pat Karney told the BBC that Manchester City Council would be investigating ‘as a matter of urgency’.
He said: “The whole area is covered by CCTV and if footage shows it was due to the deliberate actions of mindless thugs, rather than a problem with the fencing itself, we will pass this information on to the police.
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“We utterly condemn this mindless and disrespectful behaviour and will not hesitate to take action against those involved.”
Featured image: Manchester City Council
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Oldham police issue dispersal order following ‘repeat incidents’ of disorder in town centre
Emily Sergeant
A dispersal order has been issued in Oldham following ‘repeat incidents’ of disorder between groups of youths.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed that it has implemented a Section 35 dispersal order and additional Section 60 ‘stop and search’ powers in Oldham following repeat incidents of disorder between groups of youths in the town centre.
The measures were introduced yesterday afternoon (9 December) after reports of disorder came into police, which also followed similar incidents seen earlier this and last week.
So far, five arrests have been made in connection with the incidents – two for violent disorder, and three for possession of offensive weapons.
A Section 35 dispersal order is in effect for 48 hours until 1:25pm this Thursday (11 December), and the Section 60 is in effect for an initial 24 hours until 1:25pm today.
#UPDATE | We have implemented a Section 35 dispersal order and a Section 60 stop and search powers in Oldham Town Centre today at 1:25pm.
The measures will remain in place for 48 hours for the S.35 and for 24 hours for the S.60 following disorder.
The dispersal order allows officers to exclude a person, or people, from an area for up to 48 hours through a written notice, while the Section 60 authority grants officers extended powers to stop and search individuals within the area.
Neighbourhood officers will maintain a high-visibility presence in the area and will use these powers where necessary to ‘keep the public safe’.
“These measures are in place to prevent further disorder and ensure the safety of those living, working, and visiting Oldham town centre,” commented Inspector Amie Whitehead, who is the Neighbourhood Inspector for Oldham South & West.
“We will not tolerate antisocial behaviour and will take robust action against anyone involved.
“These powers are crucial to preventing any further offences from taking place. If you have any concerns or any information, then please speak to those officers who are there to help.”
Anyone with any information is urged to contact police via 101 or using the LiveChat function on www.gmp.police.uk, quoting log 1619 of 09/12/25.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons
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Trafford Centre announces opening hours for 2025/26 festive season – including Boxing Day
Emily Sergeant
Trafford Centre has published its full list of opening hours for this current festive season.
We all know that the Christmas period is one of the busiest times of the year for the retail industry, with people flocking to the shops in their millions to snap up festive gifts for their loved ones, and it only gets busier from Boxing Day onwards too when all the sales launch, offering shoppers some unmissable deals and bargains.
And nowhere in Greater Manchester gets busier during the festive season than the Trafford Centre. After all, with more than 200 stores all under one room, it’s not hard to see why.
This year, shoppers can make the most of extended opening hours at the Trafford Centre right through to New Year’s Day – with late night shopping until 11pm on selected dates in December leading up to the big day.
Alongside being a one-stop-shop for gifts, there’s also dozens of festive events and new Christmas lights to enjoy at the Trafford Centre too, so visitors can tick everything off their list and have a great day out while they’re at it.
The shopping centre will be open from 9am – 5pm on Christmas Eve, so you can whip round and grab any last-minute presents, before it’s closed fully on Christmas Day, and then opens again bright and early at 8am on Boxing Day.
Trafford Centre Christmas Opening Hours 2025/26
18 and 19 December: 10am – 11pm
20 December: 10am – 10pm
21 December: 12pm – 6pm
22 and 23 December: 10am – 11pm
Christmas: 9am – 5pm
Christmas Day: Closed
26 December: 8am – 8pm (some stores may be closed, please check with individual brands)
27 December: 10am – 9pm
28 December: 12pm – 6pm
29 and 30 December: 10pm – 10pm
New Year’s Eve: 9am – 5pm
New Year’s Day: 12pm – 6pm
It’s also worth noting, however, that not every store inside the Trafford Centre will be open on Boxing Day, so you’ll need to check with individual brands ahead of time.
For the restaurants, stores, and leisure venues that are open, you can check their specific trading hours on the Trafford Centre website here.
When it comes to festive event, The Grotto is open until Christmas Eve for pre-bookings only, and the Christmas fairground and ice rink, Big Wheel, and Gandeys Snowstorm Firebird show are all open until 4 January (closed Christmas Day).
Daisy Jackson -
6th December 2021 
