POLICE are investigating an outbreak of violent disorder at a cycling festival at Curzon Ashton FC’s Tameside Stadium, which led to nine people being hurt and eight arrests.

It is understood some 30 male protesters stormed the Eritrean event at the event on Saturday, hurling bottles, food and beer kegs.

Police say response and neighbourhood officers attended along with the Tactical Aid Unit, dog section and Roads Policing Unit.

Chief inspector Andy Harty, from GMP’s Tameside borough, said: “The vast majority of people attending the event today were innocent people, including children, who sadly got caught in the middle of this appalling act of violence.

“Following the fast work of officers a number of men were arrested at the scene and we will continue to question them as this investigation progresses.

“However, we are still in the very early stages of enquiries and we are keen to hear from anyone who witnessed this incident.

“In particular we would like people to come forward with phone or dash-cam footage that could be vital to finding all those responsible.

“This type of behaviour is completely unacceptable and I want to assure the residents of Tameside that we are doing everything we can to bring any offenders to justice.”

Anyone with any information should call police on 101 quoting incident number 1417 of June 16, 2018 . Alternatively, information can be passed on anonymously by calling the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.