Violent brawl erupts outside Manchester Crown Court as police swarm area

A brawl erupted outside Manchester Crown Court as cops swarmed a crowd of people. A large group of 'around 20' men and women were seen scrapping and throwing punches in front of the steps at Crown Square, before the brawl reportedly spilled onto Bridge Street, on Thursday afternoon (May 9),

Witnesses reported seeing a large number of police attend, with officers seen attempting to break up the violence. A large police presence was also reported in nearby Spinningfields.

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A number of people were seen being escorted away by officers. Further details about the incident have not yet been confirmed by Greater Manchester Police.

One witness told the Manchester Evening News: "It's kicked off massively outside crown court. Two groups, probably 20 in total, were fighting outside the main entrance. Looks like Bridge Street is the main focus, but there's loads of cops in Spinningfields as well."

Another claimed 'bottles were thrown' between the two groups.

Pictures taken on showed a large number of people gathering, before fighting outside the court, with multiple people later taken away in the back of police vans.