Photos and video from the scene in Manchester on Wilmslow Road, Rusholme, show large numbers of police as dispersal orders issued for a second consecutive night of protests
Police have reportedly detained several individuals after hundreds gathered on Manchester’s famous Curry Mile for a second consecutive night of demonstrations.
Images and footage from Wilmslow Road in Rusholme at approximately 11pm on Wednesday (January 21) captured a significant police presence at the location.
The Manchester Evening News understands multiple arrests have been carried out. Several individuals have also been issued with dispersal orders this evening, requiring them to vacate the area or risk being arrested.
Greater Manchester Police is yet to release a statement regarding the most recent incident, reports the Manchester Evening News.
This follows unrest on Tuesday after a predominantly peaceful demonstration linked to tensions in Syria between the government and the predominantly Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the country’s north-eastern region.
A police spokesperson said: “A Section 34 dispersal order was issued on Tuesday 20 January 2026 following reports of disorder on Wilmslow Road. Officers were made aware of a peaceful protest and took steps to facilitate protesters as they made their way down Wilmslow Road, towards Manchester City Centre and then back down Wilmslow Road.
“The group were largely peaceful throughout the protest however on returning back down Wilmslow Road, a large group of the protesters set about damaging property and vehicles, before throwing items at officers. Due to this disorder, officers from our Tactical Aid Unit were sent to support neighbourhood officers to deal with the disorder, with the decision made to close Wilmslow Road due to large numbers of people gathering.”
Speaking about Tuesday’s protests Chief Inspector Stephen Wiggins of GMP’s City of Manchester district said: “After being made aware of the protest, officers facilitated and supported protesters as they walked towards Manchester City Centre.
“This was largely peaceful however a group of protesters decided to engage in disorder and became hostile towards officers. Where possible we will help to facilitate peaceful protests, however we will take robust enforcement against those that engage in disorder and create disruption for our communities.
“Due to this disorder, we implemented a dispersal order and our neighbourhood officers alongside teams from our Tactical Aid Unit worked to disperse the protest. No arrests have been made and all protesters left the area around 10pm.
“We are investigating the disorder and are currently reviewing CCTV to identify those individuals that are responsible. We would ask that anyone with information gets in touch via 101 or the reporting mechanisms on our website quoting log 2693 of 20.01.2026.”
