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Eid sky spy
1/12/2002
POLICE will be stepping up security during Eid celebrations in Manchester's curry mile by flying their own aircraft to monitor the festivities from the air.
The Defender 4,000 light plane will be highly visible and will video record and monitor crowds of Asians and other revellers who are expected to flock into the Wimslow Road in Rushlolme for the end of Ramadan celebrations. Information gathered by the plane's crew will be transmitted down to officers on the ground.
Other security measures during Eid, due on the 5 or 6 December, will include road diversions and closures. Police say they hope to keep Wilmslow Road open to traffic during the festival but warn if congestion gets too great they will shut it off.
Every year Rusholme becomes a focal point for young people celebrating Eid. In the past large crowds have travelled to Wilmslow Road from as far as Slough in London. Many arrive in expensive hired cars which they like to cruise slowly up and down the curry mile. These noisy celebrations have become the spark for clashes between riot police and youth in the past though the last two years have been peaceful - police say due to their extra security measures. This year they are urging people to celebrate Eid in their own area and not travel to Rusholme.
In a statement theyb said the security measures were necessary to prevent violence. It adds: "South Manchester police, Manchester City Council and the Muslim Community are continuing to work together to tackle the minority of youths who use Eid celebrations as an excuse to travel to Rusholme from outside the area and indulge in bad behaviour.
"The problems that have occurred are when a minority of young people hire cars and drive up and down Wilmslow Road in a reckless manner with no respect for other road users, putting many people's lives in danger."
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