A dispersal order has been enforced by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) after approximately 30 ticketless youths smashed through a perimeter fence at the Parklife festival in Heaton Park, Manchester. The incident occurred on Saturday, June 20, when the group attempted to breach the three-metre high barrier before being held back by security personnel.
Footage circulating online shows the barrier being torn down by the youths, who were trying to gain access to the venue. Security staff on the other side of the fence managed to piece the barrier back together, but the youths continued to kick at it in futile attempts to re-enter. Shrieks were heard as more individuals gathered, though the infiltration attempt ultimately failed.
Police Response and Arrests
A 'section 34' dispersal order was authorised by a senior officer on Saturday, granting officers the authority to compel people to vacate the area or face arrest. The order remains in effect until 11pm on Sunday. According to the Manchester Evening News, police arrested 11 individuals on the first day for a range of offences, including four drug-related crimes.
A GMP spokesperson told the MEN: "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. There were 11 arrests on the first day, including four for drug offences. Officers will continue to be on hand to keep people safe and support the local community."
Ongoing Issues with 'Jibbers'
Each year, the Parklife festival—which accommodates 80,000 music enthusiasts per day over its two-day run—faces trouble from ticketless 'jibbers' attempting to bypass security or penetrate the perimeter fence. This year's event, headlined by Calvin Harris, Sammy Virji, and Zara Larsson, has proven no exception.
In 2024, 52 arrests were made after police confiscated illegal drugs and weapons. Ahead of the 2026 festival, GMP issued a safety reminder urging attendees to follow advice from Counter Terrorism Policing and report any suspicious activity. Attendees were also reminded that those attending both days would still be subject to searches upon re-entering Heaton Park on the second day.
