Rooftop snipers and 10ft barriers as first day of Conservative Party conference met with 10,000-strong protest

Police erected a ring of steel around parts of Manchester city centre today as the first day of the Conservative Party was met by a large protest.

Around 10,000 people joined a march that began near Whitworth Park on Oxford Road before making its way to Castlefield Bowl.

Dozens of roads were closed for the demonstration that attracted a wide range of causes from the trade union movement to Black Lives Matter supporters.

Police snipers are stationed on a roof during the tight security operation in Manchester city centre (ASP)

New Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police Stephen Watson personally briefed officers ahead of the operation which required staff to be drafted in from neighbouring forces Lancashire, Cheshire and North Wales.

Cops were leaving nothing to chance with snipers positioned on rooftops and huge 10ft metal barriers erected blocking off major roads such as Deansgate and Oxford Street during the march.

The Midland Hotel is behind a ring of steel for the during of the conference (ASP)

The Prime Minister Boris Johnson is in Manchester and was spotted jogging outside the Midland Hotel this morning where it is believed most senior Conservatives are staying this week.

Police reported no arrests or disorder during the demo (ASP)

On Sunday, Mr Johnson paid a visit to the HideOut Youth Zone in Gorton along with the Home Secretary Priti Patel - a move that prompted an angry response from Manchester's Labour party.

A wide range of causes including trade unions, Labour party activists and Black Live Matter supporters were at the march (ASP)

Councillors pointed out that the Youth Zone was funded by Manchester City Council and billionaire bookie Fred Done, while dozens of youth centres, libraries and leisure centres were closed during a decade of Tory austerity cuts.

MP for Manchester Gorton Afzal Gorton was among Labour politicians to join the protest march on Sunday.

GMP drafted in supported from Lancs, Cheshire and North Wales for the operation (ASP)

Senior councillor Pat Karney was also in attendance and he tweeted: "For the last ten years the Tory Government has been levelling down living standards and public services for Manchester residents.

"That why we are on the streets today."

New chief constable Stephen Watson personally briefed officers ahead of the demo (ASP)

The march is just one demonstration in four days of action from the People’s Assembly.

Protesters supporting the 'Kill The Bill' campaign pose in orange jumpsuits at the march (ASP)

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has also sounded a warning to key Tory figures — saying ‘we never back down from an argument’ as he launched a £1 billion levelling up bid.

GMP confirmed later on Sunday there had been no instances of public disorder or arrests during the demo.

The public can expect more police in Manchester over the coming days (ASP)

Assistant Chief Constable Wasim Chaudhry said: "Today has demonstrated how a large number of people can come together to get their views across in a peaceful manner.

"The multi-agency security operation for the Conservative party conference will continue over the next few days, and the public can expect to see a continued large scale policing presence in and around the city centre."