Huge police response at Manchester University as protesters ‘barricade’ exam building

There was a huge police response at the University of Manchester last night as several protesters tried to enter an exam building on campus.

A large number of police vehicles were pictured along Oxford Road in the center of the campus at around 8.30pm on Monday (May 27). The response included a specialist Tactical Support Unit van.

A UoM spokesman said officers were called to a demonstration on campus. It involved a “large group, including many who were not students.” Police were at the scene to “prevent protesters from gaining unauthorized access to the Whitworth Hall complex”.

READ THE FOLLOWING: Major emergency response to the River Irwell as two men were rescued from the water

However, over the weekend, some students have already gained entry to the historic building after “illegally barricading” the entrances. The students broke onto a balcony, the University spokesman said, and refused to leave.

The building is where the exams were to be held, with bosses “deeply disappointed” that new plans had to be put in place for students. Greater Manchester Police have been contacted for further details.

In a statement, a University of Manchester spokesperson said: “Over the weekend, a group of students from our University gained unauthorized access to the Whitworth Hall complex. Various entrances and access points have been illegally barricaded and the occupants have breached a balcony, which poses significant health and safety risks to the occupants and others.

“We are in discussions with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service about these risks, which are far beyond what we have previously seen. I have written to the people occupying the Whitworth Hall complex asking them to vacate the premises to allow the student exam to proceed as planned, unfortunately they have refused.

“As a result, we are now activating our well-established exam contingency plans, but it is deeply disappointing that their actions are having a direct impact on what is already, for everyone currently taking assessments, one of the most intense times in academia . I emailed all students to sit an exam in Whitworth Hall with the new arrangements and provided updates to the Student News.

“We will also have additional marshals to direct students to their new exam locations and will delay the start of these exams to account for this disruption. The duration of the exam will remain unchanged and we will continue to do everything we can to ensure that the action of this small group does not further affect our students.

“As the University has made clear in the notice sent to them today and in previous formal notices issued to occupiers, the University strongly supports students’ rights to free speech, expression and peaceful protest. These are fundamental rights that allow for a healthy exchange of ideas.

“However, the deliberate disruption of exams clearly violates the standards of student behavior and conduct as outlined in the Student Charter and student disciplinary regulations.”

This comes after students set up a Gaza protest camp in Brunswick Park on campus earlier this month. They said they would remain in the camp until the university “meets its demands.”

University bosses have previously said they “fully recognize the right of staff and students to protest in accordance with the law”. However, they said the camp “raises potential health and safety concerns, risks disruption for staff, students and our wider community” and “is ultimately an ‘unauthorised and illegal use’ of the University campus”.

Some Jewish students also said the camp left them feeling “intimidated.” Last night, a number of tents remained erected in the camp.

Read more of today’s top stories here