Four arrests made on first night of Burnley dispersal order

The section 34 order, which came into force at 7.45pm on Saturday (June 13), was put in place for 24 hours around the town centre.

Police said this was done because of a protest which took place and the potential for disorder arising from it.

Four arrests were made following a protest in Burnley on Saturday night (Image: Social Media)

The order grants officers the power to disperse anyone for the purpose of preventing or reducing the likelihood of members of the public in the locality being harassed, alarmed, or distressed, or the occurrence of crime and disorder.

A 43-year-old man, a 19-year-old man, and a 52-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of a public order offence. A 39-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of exposure.

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All remain in custody.

A police spokesperson said: “Our enquiries are continuing to identify other people who were involved in the disorder at the protest and anyone identified to have done so will be arrested.”

A dispersal order was put in place in the town centre as a result of the protest (Image: Social Media)

Oliver Ryan, the MP for Burnley, said: “This isn’t what our town wants or needs. Reform need to calm down, everyone needs to take a step back.

“Let me pay tribute to our police though, who were impeccable in the face of all this nonsense.”

Afrasiab Anwar, leader of Burnley Council, said: “While a small number of people gathered in the town centre, police acted appropriately to maintain order, and a dispersal order remains in place to help keep people safe.

A map showing where the dispersal order is in place. It remains in force until 7.45pm on Sunday (June 14) (Image: Lancashire Police)

“This flash protest has caused unnecessary disruption to local businesses, many of whom were simply trying to operate as normal on an evening.

“Burnley has always shown its strength in difficult moments. We must not allow the actions of one individual to divide our town or damage relationships between communities.”

The protest came in the wake of an alleged stabbing of a 17-year-old girl in Brierfield on Friday evening (June 12).

Police confirmed a 30-year-old British man of Pakistani heritage was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following the incident in Wood Street.

The girl has been discharged from hospital and is recovering at home with her family.