UK town centre chaos as police swarm scene following 'trouble involving 60 people'

Police descended on Bolton town centre following reports of trouble involving up to 60 people that erupted on Saturday evening (November 15). Police, including riot-trained Tactical Aid Unit officers, and paramedics were photographed massing close to McDonald's fast food restaurant on Knowsley Street in the town centre.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) then imposed a so-called dispersal order on an area of the town, giving officers powers to order people suspected of being involved in disorder to leave the area or face arrest. The order, a Section 34, will remain in place until 2 am on Sunday. In its statement, the GMP said the action was taken after what it described as "a number of reports of anti-social behaviour and criminality involving a group of up to 60 individuals in and around the Market Place area".

The police statement continued: "The order, which is in place until approximately 2am tomorrow (Sunday, November 16), will allow us to tackle these issues with an emphasis on the safety of the wider public in this area."

According to Manchester Evening News, inspector Nick White, from GMP's Bolton division, said: "The reported behaviour of those involved, putting members of the public at risk, will not be tolerated.

"Bolton should be a safe place for all those who wish to visit to make use of the facilities within the town centre. You can expect to see an increased visible presence, and anyone with concerns should speak to officers on the ground."

Bolton is a town located in Greater Manchester, England, in the North West. It lies in the foothills of the West Pennine Moors, between Manchester and Blackburn.