A charity representing Romani Gypsy, Roma and Irish Traveller communities has brought an official complaint against
Greater Manchester Police following the force's controversial use of a dispersal order.
The order saw people from Traveller communities - including many children - who were heading into Manchester to shop and visit the
Christmas markets last month turned away from the city centre and put onto trains. Charity The Traveller Movement alleges Romani Gypsies and Irish Travellers were 'unlawfully targeted, marginalised and racially profiled' and claim 'excessive force' was used by officers.
It comes after
a mayoral review of the force's use of the tactic found there are 'lessons to be learned'. GMP, however, has defended its decision, saying it received intelligence that groups were causing trouble on trains on their way into Manchester.
After the force delivered its report to Greater Manchester deputy mayor Kate Green, she said she understood the 'rationale' behind the force's decision-making. But she added 'there are lessons to be learned' - including that the force could have 'engaged' with Traveller communities before their arrival in the city centre. She promised to outline her concerns in a letter to Chief Constable Stephen Watson.
A letter of complaint sent to GMP's Professional Standards Directorate by Leigh Day Solicitors, which acts for the charity, argues the force's actions were in 'breach of various duties that must be considered when the police exercise their statutory powers' - namely regarding 'excessive force, false imprisonment, negligence and safeguarding'.
It goes on to alleges 'potential contraventions' of the Equality Act 2010 of the European Convention on Human Rights and Human Rights Act 1998 and calls for an independent inquiry to be held.
The charity alleges in the letter children as young as 10 were forced onto trains to unknown destinations and that others were separated from family members. The incident sparked protest marches and gatherings in the city centre.
"Several individuals reported officers making disparaging remarks about their ethnicity, such as referring to them as 'pikeys', said a statement from the law firm released on Thursday. "Witnesses also described officers removing their badge numbers."
The Traveller Movement allege that 'at no point' did GMP officers make enquiries as to where the children were from or seek to ensure they were placed on trains that would get them home.
And the charity said 'no effort' was made to ensure appropriate safeguarding procedures were in place, or to enlist responsible adults to manage the situation.
Yvonne MacNamara, CEO of the Traveller Movement, said: "The treatment of Romani Gypsies and Irish Traveller children in this incident is nothing short of appalling. These children were not just excluded from enjoying the Christmas festivities; they were humiliated, manhandled, and denied basic respect and safeguarding by the very authorities tasked with protecting them."
Pauline Melvin-Anderson OBE, Irish Traveller and chair of the Traveller Movement, spoke of 'shocking discrimination'.
"Greater Manchester Police must acknowledge their actions and take immediate steps to address the apparent prejudice that leads to such incidents. Every child, regardless of their background, has the right to feel safe, valued, and included," she said. Ryan Bradshaw, lead lawyer at Leigh Day, said in the letter the charity wants the consideration of a referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct and the retention of all CCTV and body-worn camera footage.
He said young Travellers came from across the north west, Yorkshire and North Wales. They ranged in age from young children under 10 to young adults under 20, he added. The majority of young adults, added the letter, were acting as 'chaperones'.
Youngsters, said Mr Bradshaw, were prevented by GMP from going into the Arndale Centre and faced 'aggressive questioning'. Children, he alleged, were then 'corralled' into 'small spaces' and taken to waiting trains at Manchester Victoria.
"At no point did the officers make enquiries as to where the children were from, or seek to ensure they were placed on trains that would get them home," he wrote. "There was no effort to enlist responsible adults to manage the situation nor did officers remain on trains with the children to ensure their safety after they had been placed in a particularly vulnerable situation.
"The sole concern here appears to have been moving the Traveller children out of
Manchester city centre with urgency. Where they ended up and whether they were safe was of no apparent concern to GMP."
The charity has also asked for a copy of the dispersal order in full.
Mr Bradshaw said in the statement: "The alleged actions taken by Greater Manchester Police are deeply troubling. Young children on their way to the Christmas markets appear to have been treated like football hooligans on a rampage. It is crucial that safeguarding responsibilities are upheld in interactions with all young people, regardless of their heritage or ethnicity.
"This incident represents a clear failure in that regard. We believe a truly independent inquiry should urgently be convened if lessons are to be learned and trust restored."
Deputy mayor Ms Green said this week: "I consider that the issues encountered on the day could have been anticipated sooner and that GMP could have planned and engaged the Romany Gypsy and Irish Traveller communities in advance. This could have prevented this dispersal order being issued and applied in the way that it was.
"I have also asked GMP to review and consider the implications of its decision to put children back on trains, including safeguarding considerations. GMP have confirmed that they will strive to continue engaging with these communities going forward to avoid similar situations arising in future. I have stressed that this engagement must now be a priority."
A GMP spokesperson said: “We understand the concerns expressed by The Traveller Movement charity today. Our Professional Standards Directorate is committed to reviewing all complaints made to us. Just under two weeks ago, we met with representatives from the Romani Gypsy and Irish Traveller community, including The Traveller Movement, to begin addressing their concerns relating to events on the 23 November 2024.
"This forum was open and constructive, and we expressed our regret at the distress and upset these events had caused. We look forward to working more closely with community representatives going forwards."
