Around 30 ticketless youths smashed through a perimeter barrier at the Parklife festival in Heaton Park on Saturday, but were quickly repelled by security guards. Police subsequently issued a Section 34 dispersal order to prevent further trouble.
Video Shows Attempted Breach
Video circulating online captures the barrier being broken apart as youths tried to gain entry. Security guards on the other side of the three-metre-high fence thwarted the attempt, reassembling the barrier while the youths kicked at it in vain. Screams can be heard as more people gathered, but none succeeded in entering.
Police Response and Arrests
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed that 11 people were arrested on Saturday for various offences, including four for drug crimes. The dispersal order, signed by a senior officer, gives police the power to force people to leave the area or face arrest. It remains in effect until 11pm on Sunday.
A GMP spokesman told the Manchester Evening News: "A Section 34 dispersal order was put in place after a number of incidents on Saturday, when around 30 people tried to get into the site without tickets. We are working closely with event organisers to prevent this happening again. The dispersal order will stay in place until 11pm on Sunday as a precaution."
Parklife 2026 and Past Incidents
The 2026 Parklife festival, headlined by Calvin Harris, Sammy Virji, and Zara Larsson, hosts 80,000 music fans each day. However, like previous years, it has been plagued by ticketless 'jibbers' attempting to breach security. In 2024, 52 arrests were made after police seized illegal drugs and weapons.
Ahead of the weekend, GMP issued a safety reminder urging festival-goers to follow Counter Terrorism Policing advice and report anything suspicious. Attendees attending both days are reminded they will be searched again on the second day upon entry.
The Manchester Evening News has contacted Parklife for comment.
