Police called over crowd frenzy at UK Swatch stores
Watch retailer Swatch has been forced to close its UK stores due to safety concerns after large crowds flocked to shopping centres.
Swatch announced on Sunday it would close a store in Greater Manchester for a second day after scores of people queued for the launch of a new pocket watch.
Police were called to the Swatch store in the Trafford Center in Greater Manchester on Saturday and an arrest was also made in Cardiff.
Videos posted online show large crowds in many shopping malls across the UK and police near some stores.
South Wales Police said police were called to a shopping center in Cardiff at 6.20am on Saturday following reports that around 300 people were trying to enter the Swatch store.
Police added that a 25-year-old man from Pengam was arrested and given a Section 35 dispersal notice.
Manchester Police said officers were also sent to the Trafford Center in Manchester and “dispersed a large number of people”.
Swatch said on Facebook on Saturday that “in light of safety considerations for both our customers and staff” stores in Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Sheffield, Glasgow and Cardiff, as well as all stores in London, would be closed for the day.
It was posted later on Saturday: “To all our beloved fans around the world from our AP x Swatch collaboration, which launched on May 16th.
“In order to ensure the safety of both our customers and our staff in Swatch stores, we kindly ask you not to flock to our stores in large numbers to purchase this product.
“The Royal Pop Collection will be available for several months. In some countries, queues of more than 50 people are unacceptable and sales may have to be paused.”
The company posted again on Sunday, saying that its Manchester store would be closed for a day “for security reasons”.
Swatch launched the Audemars Piguet x Swatch Royal Pop Collection at select stores worldwide on Saturday, according to the company’s website.
Purchases are limited to one hour per person, per day, and per store.
