MP thanks authorities for dispersing mass Audenshaw Reservoir gathering

MP Andrew Gwynne has thanked police and local authorities for their quick response in dispersing an illegal mass gathering of around 80 youths at Audenshaw reservoir. 

Officers from Greater Manchester Police's Tameside division were informed that a potential large gathering had been planned for Friday evening (31 July), after being contacted by a concerned father whose son had asked him for a lift to the area. 

GMP said a large number of officers were at the popular spot, which borders the M60 motorway, on Friday afternoon and evening to offer an increased presence and reassurance for the public.

The force worked alongside partners from Tameside Council and United Utilities to "engage with the public and ensure that anyone trying to attend the event is turned away". 

Mr Gwynne, who serves the Audenshaw area, said: "I’m immensely grateful to GMP and Tameside Council for all their efforts, and I know residents in Audenshaw are too. The lockdown is hard for us all, especially on warm sunny days, but it’s for our own safety that any large illegal gatherings are stopped. Again, thank you GMP." 

Police issued the MP with an update which said they were made aware of the gathering at around 1pm on Friday afternoon and found 60 to 80 youths at the reservoir, but it was of "a peaceful nature" so a dispersal order which was authorised wasn't required and no arrests were made. 

A GMP statement said: "At just after 1pm today, GMP were made aware of a potential large gathering of youths at Audenshaw Reservoirs planned for this evening. This information had come from a concerned parent whose son had asked him for a lift to the area.

"As a result of this information coming to light a coordinated response using officers from Tameside district, surrounding districts and specialist resources GMP were deployed to the area.

"The location holds obvious water danger issues which were exacerbated by the weather; it is also flanked on two sides by motorways which again have potential safety issues in the event of a mass gathering. TMBC were informed immediately to assist with our combined partnership response.

"Upon police attendance, there was a gathering of approximately 60-80 youths who were dispersed by the officers.

"A Dispersal Order had been authorised but wasn’t required, due to the peaceful nature of the gathering and the fact that the youths dispersed immediately upon police attendance, no arrests were made.

"Following on from this as precautionary measure officers attended at local shops and stores to advise them of the situation.

"A social media release from the Tameside South Neighbourhood Team advised people to stay away from the area and reiterated the Covid guidelines in relation to gatherings. The incident was dealt with speedily with little to no disruption to local residents." 

The news of the gathering came less than 24 hours after the tightening of lockdown restrictions across Greater Manchester - including in Tameside - amid a spike in Covid-19 cases in the region. 

It also followed a number of illegal mass gatherings in the borough recently, with police confirming last week that active discussions are taking place with the council about imposing a banning order across the whole of Tameside.