A 10-hour dispersal order is in place during the Britain First march in Manchester
13:15, 21 Feb 2026Updated 13:34, 21 Feb 2026
Protesters clash with police in Manchester city centre(Image: Joel Goodman)
Three men have been arrested so far amid the Britain First rally and counter-demonstrations in Manchester city centre, a Greater Manchester Police spokesperson confirmed.
Supporters of Britain First, a far-right organisation that is calling for ‘remigration and mass deportations’, are set to march through the city this afternoon. Demonstrators have been gathered on Store Street near Piccadilly station since 12pm, though as of 1.15pm the march has not yet set off and is being held in position by police.
Counter-demonstrations are also being held in the city centre this afternoon, with supporters from a number of organisations including Stand Up To Racism gathered in Piccadilly Gardens. Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn spoke at this rally earlier.
Follow our live coverage of the march and counter-protests HERE
The GMP spokesperson confirmed at 12.50pm that three arrests had been made so far in the city centre amid the protests. The arrests were for: breach of dispersal order, assault on an emergency worker and breach of peace.
One man was also ordered to leave the area under the dispersal order, the spokesperson confirmed. Video footage of the man being guided into the back of a police van by officers was shared on social media.
Protesters clash with police in Manchester city centre(Image: Joel Goodman)
A large police presence remains in place across the city centre, with mounted officers pictured lined up at the start of the Britain First rally. The 10-hour dispersal order issued by police across the city centre gives officers extra powers to remove people from the area, while the demonstrations take place.
GMP said it aims to ‘prevent anti-social behaviour, crime, harassment, alarm, or distress’. On Thursday, Manchester council leader Bev Craig said Britain First were not welcome in Manchester and urged people to come together to ‘send a clear message that hate has no place in our city’.