Chaos erupts at Trafford Centre as ‘fights’ escape and ‘chairs thrown’
Police were called to the Trafford Centre in Manchester on Saturday morning as crowds of people tried to get their hands on the new limited edition £335 Swatch Royal Pop watch collection
Chaos erupted at the Trafford Centre
Pandemonium broke out and “fights” erupted at a shopping centre as throngs of people scrambled to secure a limited-edition watch. Police were called to Manchester’s Trafford Centre on Saturday morning (May 16) as eager shoppers jostled their way in to snag the new collection from the Swatch store.
People reportedly queued overnight for the £335 Royal Pop watches – a joint venture between Swatch and Luxury Swiss watch designer Audemars Piguet. However, when the shopping centre opened its doors at 6am, massive crowds breached the barriers and began “pushing and shoving” each other – with some even “throwing chairs”, it was alleged.
Footage shows a large crowd of potential buyers involved in the purported scuffle – with some seemingly wielding chairs. According to the Swatch UK Instagram page, they were compelled to shut more stores around the UK due to ‘safety considerations’ as large crowds amassed at those sites too – including Liverpool, London and Cardiff.
The shopper who recorded video footage, who wishes to remain anonymous, told Talk to the Press: “It was complete chaos. People were throwing chairs and people were pushed over.
“I got down the lower level and another fight broke out. It got quite brutal.”
The shopper claimed he arrived at 6am and managed to enter the shopping centre via an entrance on the upper level.
Footage captures the crowds on the lower floor outside the Swatch shop, which was scheduled to open its doors at 10am.
They revealed: “There were hundreds of people outside the Trafford Centre. They had been queuing overnight.
“The orderly queuing system broke down in a matter of minutes.
“Swatch had their own security and so did the Trafford, but it wasn’t enough. Eventually the police arrived and kicked everyone out.
“A security guard told me the shop would be closed the rest of the day.”
A representative for Great Manchester Police stated: “We were called shortly before 6am following reports of a disturbance at the Trafford centre.
“Officers attended and alongside security staff dispersed a large number of people who were inside the centre. No arrests have been made.”
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