Tents moved from St Peter's Square and fences put up ahead of Remembrance Day

Tents set up in St Peter's Square have been moved ahead of the Remembrance Day parade this weekend. A 'red tent camp' has been in place near Central Library and the Town Hall in recent weeks.

Manchester council said the tents have been home to refugees camping out on the civic square. Police and council staff were seen in the square this morning (Friday, November 8), speaking to people in the tents.

According to the town hall, discussions had been taking place for 'weeks' to encourage people to move their tents and find support elsewhere. Bosses say says the tents needed to be moved as a safety measure ahead of Remembrance Day events this Sunday (November 10).

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Following further discussions this morning, those camping out at St Peter's Square agreed to move their tents, the council said. Greater Manchester Police confirmed officers attended.

Some officers remain in attendance on St Peter's Square this afternoon, while barriers have been installed ahead of the Remembrance Day event. A Manchester City Council spokesperson said: "This Sunday St Peter’s Square will host a major Remembrance Sunday service and parade.

"This will be attended by thousands of people paying their respects to the fallen with hundreds of veterans, and civic dignitaries, taking part in the parade through the square. Any large scale event of this nature involves safety precautions and other logistical considerations.

"Ahead of it, the police will need to conduct a sweep and part of the square is being cordoned off to maintain a secure area. This would not be possible with the tents left in place over the weekend.

"In the run-up to Remembrance Sunday, together with the police, we have for weeks been engaging with the people who are refugees camping in St Peter’s Square to encourage them to move on and access the support available. All of them heeded this message and we appreciate their co-operation.

"Support is available for the people camping, via the Mustard Tree charity which we have commissioned to provide it. There are established procedures and informal encampments are neither a safe nor suitable environment from which to access support.”

A similar 'red tent camp' behind the Town Hall was set up in March and closed down in April. It led to 100 people being moved into temporary accommodation, although the closure drew criticism when tents were sealed off.

Barriers have been in place underneath the arches outside Central Library in the months since, but a new 'camp' emerged outside those fences last month. Some tents were removed before the end of the month.