Police Statement on Video of Male 'Being Attacked' During Britain First March in Manchester
The Manchester Evening News reports on a video that has circulated online, showing a male being attacked during the Britain First march in Manchester on February 22, 2026. The video, captured from Piccadilly Gardens, near the city's Gay Village, shows a male being assaulted by a group of males. Police officers then intervene, placing the male in handcuffs.
Assistant Chief Constable Rick Jackson of Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed that the force is investigating the incident. He stated, 'We are aware of social media videos circulating online from yesterday’s protests and will be investigating a number of incidents. During what was a very busy day in Manchester city centre, officers responded to several incidents and intervened in altercations between groups. On some occasions this spilled over into acts of violence and disorder, and these will be fully investigated.'
The police have made 11 arrests in connection with the demonstrations, including two men held on suspicion of preventing a breach of the peace, two men held on suspicion of assaulting emergency workers, four men held on suspicion of public order offences, one man held on suspicion of assault, one man held on suspicion of an offence relating to the Crime and Disorder Act, and another man held on suspicion of breaching a dispersal notice. Some of these arrests were later de-arrested and issued with summonses or dispersal notices.
The incident highlights the tensions that can arise during protests and the importance of maintaining public safety while supporting people’s right to protest peacefully.
