A Facebook account dedicated to sharing 'Manchester nightlife' videos has amassed 1.8 million followers, with clips showing young women who appear unaware they are being filmed. The videos have sparked a police investigation, complaints and an arrest.
The clips typically focus on women dressed up for a night out, believed to be intoxicated and occasionally in a vulnerable state. Dozens of such videos have been posted on Facebook in recent weeks, according to the Manchester Evening News.
Accounts and groups dedicated to the content
Other smaller accounts sharing the footage have more than 33,000 and 13,000 followers respectively. A dedicated Facebook group, where users can share their own footage and images, has more than 354,000 members.
One page features several images which appear to have been created using artificial intelligence (AI). The images are supposed to show women on a night out in Manchester, particularly around Deansgate, with some posing for the camera. Misspelt shop signs, cars which don't appear to be real, and the composition of the images provide clues that they were made with AI, yet comments suggest viewers have failed to realise it.
Misogynistic comments and platform response
Comments underneath some clips include 'Red Light district?', 'English dumplings' and 'Is it the Weight Watchers convention?'. Other comments are too vulgar to be repeated, including multiple sexual remarks about the women who unknowingly feature in the videos.
The M.E.N. has shared its latest findings with Meta, the owner of Facebook. The company did not respond to requests for comment.
Previous action and police investigation
The M.E.N. first reported on the trend in 2022. Accounts were later removed by TikTok, before the M.E.N. reported on clips being shared on YouTube in 2024. Google-owned YouTube removed multiple accounts for breaching rules earlier this year.
Greater Manchester Police launched a criminal investigation in 2024 after receiving reports from women. A man was arrested on suspicion of voyeurism and harassment in November that year, but the investigation ended earlier this year due to limitations with current legislation. The force has since explored civil action alongside Manchester council.
More than 600 businesses have signed up to Manchester council's Women's Night-time Safety Charter, while the WalkSafe+ app allows people to share journeys and report concerns. The #IsThisOk? campaign and GMP's Operation Safer Streets have also challenged predatory behaviour.
Superintendent Nicola Williams, of GMP City of Manchester, previously said: "Predatory behaviour is completely unacceptable, and tackling this has been a priority for our night time economy policing operation." She added: "We are committed to ensuring nights out are safe for everyone and encourage anyone who is subjected to unwanted behaviour to report this to us."
