The council evicted a homeless camp today. It was in St Peter’s Square in Manchester. This happened early on a Wednesday morning. Around twenty tents stood by the town hall.

Council officers and bailiffs arrived before 6:45 AM. The officers tapped on each tent to wake them up. They told people they had to leave. Interpreters explained this to the tent occupants, who were all refugees seeking asylum in the UK, trespassing on city property.

People could grab belongings, but anything left would be thrown away. Bailiffs in black stood nearby while council staff offered bags for packing as commuters watched.

The occupants packed up and dismantled the tents quickly, seemingly used to moving. People filled bags with their belongings. Protesters brought residents hot drinks.

Rubbish trucks came with flashing lights, and workers cleared the site, throwing tents into the truck. The former residents watched silently as one man lay on his tent, protesting.

Officers told him to leave, but he refused to move. Bailiffs carried him away and forced him to watch his tent get crushed. Other people seemed confused and upset.

One woman from Sudan asked where to go, stating she came to the UK for safety. Protesters questioned council staff, who did not respond.

The camp had moved nearby by 9 AM. Tents reappeared by the Midland Hotel.

The council says the eviction went well and that the camp was unsafe. They offered help to those requiring it, and abandoned tents got disposed of. The council claims this camp was unsuitable and that help continues to be available.

Lawyers for refugees say the people need housing, and rough sleeping is not a choice. The eviction only moved the problem, not solving anything.

The council evicted a homeless camp today. It was in St Peter’s Square in Manchester. This happened early on a Wednesday morning. Around twenty tents stood by the town hall.

Council officers and bailiffs arrived before 6:45 AM. The officers tapped on each tent to wake them up. They told people they had to leave. Interpreters explained this to the tent occupants, who were all refugees seeking asylum in the UK, trespassing on city property.

People could grab belongings, but anything left would be thrown away. Bailiffs in black stood nearby while council staff offered bags for packing as commuters watched.

The occupants packed up and dismantled the tents quickly, seemingly used to moving. People filled bags with their belongings. Protesters brought residents hot drinks.

Rubbish trucks came with flashing lights, and workers cleared the site, throwing tents into the truck. The former residents watched silently as one man lay on his tent, protesting.

Officers told him to leave, but he refused to move. Bailiffs carried him away and forced him to watch his tent get crushed. Other people seemed confused and upset.

One woman from Sudan asked where to go, stating she came to the UK for safety. Protesters questioned council staff, who did not respond.

The camp had moved nearby by 9 AM. Tents reappeared by the Midland Hotel.

The council says the eviction went well and that the camp was unsafe. They offered help to those requiring it, and abandoned tents got disposed of. The council claims this camp was unsuitable and that help continues to be available.

Lawyers for refugees say the people need housing, and rough sleeping is not a choice. The eviction only moved the problem, not solving anything.