Eid patrols stepped up -- Manchester

Two hundred officers will police this weekend's Eid celebrations in Manchester - but the days of serious trouble are long gone, according to community leaders.

The Muslim celebrations to mark the end of a month of fasting will attract 10,000 people from all over the country to Rusholme tonight and tomorrow night.

But a combination of tough action on trouble-makers during previous Eid celebrations and the greater numbers of young families taking part means the atmosphere of the event has changed for the better, say police and community leaders.Khan Moghal, chief executive of the Manchester Council for Community Relations, when asked whether the days of serious trouble were over, said: "Absolutely, yes, because of the tough action taken by police, which we support 100 per cent. "The message that it's sent out to the rest of the country is that we want people to come here and enjoy themselves and if they come to cause problems, they are not welcome."

He admitted gangs of young Muslims from all around the country, including Brighton and Glasgow, would come to Rusholme in the past and, contrary to Islam, get drunk and then pick fights with the police.

He said: "There were running battles with the police, but thankfully, those days have gone now."Supt John O'Hare said: "I have been working during the Eid celebrations for the last 10 years and I have noticed a difference. It's seen far more as a local family event now."

The Eid ul-Fitr festival, the Islamic feast of sacrifice, is due to take place between tonight and tomorrow and marks the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting.As in previous years, police will use powers to seize cars driven in an anti-social manner along Wilmslow Road, the main focus of the celebrations.

Police will divert traffic away from Wilmslow Road, but keep it open. The road will be closed `should the need arise'.Supt O'Hare added: "Eid is a very important part of the Muslim calendar and we are extremely proud that Rusholme is a focal point. "As part of the policing operation, and to allow the local Muslim community to celebrate their religious festival with minimal disruption, an increased number of police officers will be patrolling the area."

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1019372_eid_patrols_stepped_up_

NWN: Over 200 Police Officers ? And yet again, the poor patients in the hospitals nearby will not be getting any sleep, as the noise emanating from this lot in the past is horrendous, and usually round the clock.

They drive around all hooting their car horns. There are many thousands of cars doing this.

The Police do nothing about the noise. If this was a footie match they would have banned the match in the future.

Note: The above picture was taken at last years Eid festival in Manchester !