GMP Chief Constable refuses to be drawn into webchat debate over six protestors arrested at Kro Bar

By Mancunian Matters

The Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police refused to be drawn into a row over the arrest of six protestors at Oxford Road’s former Kro Bar last night.

The protestors attempted to occupy the building in objection over the planned conversion of it into a Tesco.

During a webchat last night Chief Constable Peter Fahy declined to state what law the protestors were arrested under, but did point out that the officers were accountable under law for those arrests.

One user in the webchat, named Luke, asked: “What do you think of the arrests that were made outside Kro Bar on Oxford Road earlier today? Under what law were the protestors arrested?”

Chief Constable Fahy replied: “I don't know about this one. Officers are accountable under the law for the arrests they make.”

One of the protestors, Sofia, who did not give her second name, alleged that the police broke down a fire door to gain access to the squat and, once in, became verbally abusive. 

She claimed that one officer said the arrests were being made under the ‘get a job law’.

Speaking to MM, she said: “We wanted to turn this place into be a community centre, a place for local people. 

“We were going to start cooking food and handing it out for free, you know, something really positive and community based. 

“But of course they stopped us and it doesn’t look like we’ll get back in.”

Inspector Mike Booth, of Greater Manchester Police, said there was evidence of criminal damage.

He said: “A call was received at 8am with reports of an intruder.  Officers went to the scene and found the door broken and six people inside: four men and two women, who remain in custody.”

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