'No two nights are ever the same - you're told to expect the unexpected'. The M.E.N's Nicole Wootton-Cane goes out on Friday night patrol with Greater Manchester Police in our busy city centre
Every Friday, as lights go out in Manchester's offices, thousands spill into pubs and bars ready to start their weekend. It may be the end of the working week for most, but for Greater Manchester Police it signals the start of a vitally important operation.
"We deal with a complete mix of incidents," he told the M.E.N as officers began trickling into the force's city centre office ahead of their 10pm briefing. "We have incidences of neighbourhood crime, of course people can be intoxicated, we have mental health, we have people reported missing, we have reports of assault.
Peter Street, where bars Impossible, Albert Schloss, and Revolucion de Cuba all boast capacities upwards of 700 people within yards of each other, is identified as the busiest zone in the night time economy. Officers are warned to look out for drunk people arguing with bouncers and dispersing crowds during closing times, during which they are told 'the aim is to keep people safe and make sure they get home safely'.
10.35pm Before we go on patrol we are taken downstairs to GMP's public enquiries counter on Lloyd Street. Sergeant Paul O'Donnell, who is accompanying us, says this is one of several 'safe spaces' in the city open to anybody in need on a night out. "We don't want women thinking it's alright for someone to come up and touch them inappropriately," he says. "That's not something we stand for at GMP. Every weekend we see two or three reports of this that result in someone being arrested."
Simon says the city centre has 'changed beyond recognition' since he started DJing in the early 90s - and that he puts its success down to being a 'safer and nicer place to come out'. Here, police are particularly aware of the added threat of homophobic incidents, which they say do happen 'occasionally'. The angels - many of whom are part of the LGBT community themselves - play an important role in keeping the gay village a safe and judgement free space for queer people in Manchester.
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