Police attend Trafford Centre over Swatch pocket watch chaos

Watch retailer Swatch was forced to close stores across the UK over the weekend amid safety concerns after huge crowds descended on shopping centres.

Officers were sent to the Trafford Centre in Manchester and “dispersed a large number of people”, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said.

Swatch announced it was closing a store in Greater Manchester on Sunday (May 17) for a second day after scores of people queued for the launch of a new pocket watch.

GMP was called shortly before 6am on Saturday “following reports of a disturbance at the Trafford centre”, a spokesperson said.

The force said: “Officers attended and alongside security staff dispersed a large number of people who were inside the centre.

“No arrests have been made.”

Videos posted online appeared to show huge crowds at multiple shopping centres across the UK with police near a number of stores.

Police were called to St David’s 2 shopping centre in Cardiff after reports of about 300 people trying to get in to a Swatch store at 6.20am on Saturday, South Wales Police said.

A 25-year-old man from Pengam was arrested and issued with a Section 35 dispersal notice, the force added.

A spokesperson for South Wales Police said: “South Wales Police was called at 6.20am on Saturday May 16 to a group of approximately 300 people trying to enter the St David’s 2 shopping centre.

“A 25-year-old man from Pengam was arrested and issued with a Section 35 dispersal notice with the conditions that they are not to enter Cardiff City Centre again during Saturday May 16.”

Swatch posted on Facebook on Saturday saying “in light of safety considerations for both our customers and our staff” stores in Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Sheffield, Glasgow and Cardiff would be closed for the day, along with all of the London stores.

It posted later on Saturday saying: “To all our dear fans worldwide of our AP x Swatch collab, launched on May 16.

“To ensure the safety of both our customers and our staff in Swatch stores, we kindly ask you not to rush to our stores in large numbers to acquire this product.

“The Royal Pop Collection will remain available for several months. In some countries, queues of more than 50 people cannot be accepted, and sales may need to be paused.”

The company posted again on Sunday saying the Manchester store would be closed for the day “in light of safety considerations”.

Swatch launched the Audemars Piguet x Swatch Royal Pop Collection on Saturday at selected stores worldwide, according to the company’s website.

Purchases are limited to one watch per person, per day, and per store.