Watch as chaos and ‘fights’ breakout at Manchester's Trafford Centre as Swatch watch crowds surge
Crowds clashed at Trafford Centre as chaos erupted over the release of Swatch's limited-edition Royal Pop watches.
Chaos erupted and “fights” broke out at Manchester’s Trafford Centre on Saturday (May 16) as crowds of people try to get their hands on a limited-edition watch.
Police were called to the shopping centre as eager shoppers barged their way in to get hold of the new collection from the Swatch store.
People were reportedly queuing up overnight for the £335 Royal Pop watches – a collaboration between Swatch and Luxury Swiss watch designer Audemars Piguet.
But when the shopping centre opened its doors at 6am, huge crowds surged the barriers and began "pushing and shoving" each other - with some "throwing chairs", it was claimed.
Video captures a large crowd of prospective buyers in the alleged scuffle - with some appearing to be holding chairs.
According the Swatch UK Instagram page, they were forced to close more stories around the UK due to ‘safety considerations’ as large crowds gathered at those locations too.
The shopper who filmed the video, who does not wish to be named, 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 6am and was able to enter the shopping centre through an entrance on the higher level.
The video captures the crowds on the lower floor outside of the Swatch shop, which was due to open it's doors at 10am.
They said: “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 spokesperson for Great Manchester Police said: “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."