Counter protests also took place
19:39, 21 Feb 2026Updated 20:09, 21 Feb 2026
Police on Princess Street earlier(Image: Joel Goodman)
Police made 11 arrests as Britain First descended on Manchester today.
Hundreds of people took part in the protest by the far-right party, which was billed as a ‘march for remigration and mass deportations’.
While several counter-protests took place throughout the day, with former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn speaking at a rally in Piccadilly Gardens.
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Tonight, Greater Manchester Police confirmed that the force had made 11 arrests in connection with the demonstrations.
Two men were held on suspicion of prevention of a breach of the peace, two men were held on suspicion of assaulting emergency workers, four men were held on suspicion of public order offences, one man was held on suspicion of assault, one man was held on suspicion of an offence relating to the Crime and Disorder Act, and another man was held on suspicion of breaching a dispersal notice.
One of the four men arrested on suspicion of a public order offence was subsequently de-arrested, and issued a summons. The man held on suspicion of an offence relating to the Crime and Disorder Act was later de-arrested and handed a dispersal notice.
With the two de-arrests, nine men remain in custody.
Greater Manchester Police said in a statement: “Several demonstrations took place peacefully across central Manchester, with officers working closely with organisers to ensure people could protest safely and that wider disruption was kept to a minimum.
“A significant policing operation was in place throughout the day (Saturday, 21 February), with additional resources deployed and pre-prepared plans activated alongside partner agencies to help the day run smoothly.
“A section 34 dispersal order will remain in place until 8pm tonight, allowing officers to direct people to leave the area.”
Assistant Chief Constable Rick Jackson, Gold commander for GMP’s policing operation said: “Manchester was expected to be extremely busy today, with multiple planned protests in the city centre as well as several football matches.
“We put extra officers on duty to support people’s right to protest peacefully while reducing the impact on the wider public.
“Thanks to the efforts of our officers on the ground and the planning done with our partners, hundreds of people from a range of groups were able to come together safely, with no significant issues reported.
“Greater Manchester is a place where people can confidently and lawfully express their views, while ensuring that residents, workers, and visitors can go about their day feeling safe.”