The Romani and Traveller Social Work Association is deeply concerned at the scenes we
witnessed from the Arndale Shopping Centre in Manchester this weekend and the
disproportionate responses of the Greater Manchester Police, where Romany Gypsy and
Traveller children and young people were refused entry to the Centre and then herded onto
trains, where they appeared not to know the direction in which the train was headed.
A Section 34 Dispersal Order was authorized, allowing Greater Manchester Police to break up
groups of people and move them on if the police have evidence that they are ‘engaging in, or
likely to engage in anti-social behaviour’. Officers discharging these powers must be satisfied
that the use of these powers is ‘necessary to reduce the likelihood of harassment, alarm, or
distress for members of the public’ and the ‘right to freedom of expression and assembly’ must
be considered.
We ask that Greater Manchester Police make available the evidence required to satisfy the
discharging of the Section 34 Dispersal Order, including what safeguarding and Equality Act
2010 assessments were undertaken to ensure the safety of legally protected, ethnic minority
children and young people. One of our founders was at the Arndale Centre that day and visiting
the Christmas market and only witnessed joyful young people, excited at being at the Christmas
Markets. At no point did she witness anti-social behaviour or distress, or alarm being caused to
members of the public.
There is a clear recommendation within the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014,
Section 35 (7) that “If the constable reasonably believes that the person to whom the direction is
given is under the age of 16, the constable may remove the person to a place where the person
lives or a place of safety.” It is clear Greater Manchester Police did not do this. Instead, the
Greater Manchester Police chose to place vulnerable children and young people onto trains,
some of the children had no idea where they were going and were visibly distressed, as they
were directed onto the next train with Greater Manchester Police appearing to not know the
children’s home location or to have any engagement with their parents.
We are also concerned and disappointed by the language used by Deputy Mayor of Greater
Manchester, Kate Green using terms like ‘lawlessness’ and ‘antisocial behaviour’, words that
reinforce and consolidate negative and dangerous stereotypes about Romany Gypsy and Irish
Traveller people. Words the media and other groups, are quick to pounce on and which
embolden them in aiming further hatred and abuse at the victims from Romany Gypsy and Irish
Traveller communities.
This experience will further undermine trust in the Police and as the only Romani and Traveller
led Social Work Association, we look forward to being invited to play our part in the meetings
with community leaders to ensure there is a review of the safeguarding processes which left
vulnerable children and young people experiencing fear, humiliation and shame during what
should have been a day of joy and excitement. The children and young people will have
experienced trauma and we seek assurances that arrangements are being made to
appropriately assess their needs and support them.
Article 31 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) creates a
specific right for all children to have rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to their age and to participate freely in cultural life and the arts. Is this too much to
ask for Romany Gypsy and Irish Traveller children and young people?