Violent brawl breaks out outside Manchester Crown Court as police swarm the area

A brawl broke out outside Manchester Crown Court as police rounded up a crowd. A large group of “around 20” men and women were seen throwing punches outside the steps of Crown Square before the brawl spilled into Bridge Street on Thursday afternoon (May 9).

Witnesses reported seeing a large number of police in attendance and officers were seen trying to break up the violence. A heavy police presence was also reported in nearby Spinningfields.

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A number of people were seen accompanied by the police. Further details of the incident have yet to be confirmed by Greater Manchester Police.

A witness said Manchester Evening News: “It was launched massively outside the crown yard. Two groups, probably 20 in total, were fighting outside the main entrance. Bridge Street seems to be the main focus, but there are a lot of police in Spinningfields too.”

Another claimed that “bottles were thrown” between the two groups.

Footage showed large numbers of people gathering, before fighting outside the courthouse, with several people later being taken into the back of police vans.