LONDON -- Police were called to several stores across Britain as Black Friday crowds gathered in large numbers hoping to get their hands on a bargain.
Synonymous with the promise of cut-priced goods and long queues, more British retailers are partaking this year in Black Friday than ever before with a host of deals advertised in advance of it.
Police in Manchester appealed for calm and said that two people had been arrested. A Tesco store in Trafford was closed shortly after the sale began at 12:01 AM.
Tesco Extra opposite Old Trafford closes 10 mins after Black Friday offers as customers fight over 32" Blaupunkt TVs pic.twitter.com/Ao49Ocmfuq— Shamoon Hafez (@ShamoonHafez) November 28, 2014
At least two people arrested at #BlackFriday sales events already this morning. Keep calm people!— G M Police (@gmpolice) November 28, 2014
Police in London attended three Tescos and an Asda, according to BBC News. Police said there was a large, volatile crowd at the Tesco in Glover Drive. The retailer had promotions in the store for cut-priced TVs and coffee makers.
Large volatile crowds at Tesco Glover Drive looking for a Black Friday bargain. Public order situation averted by Officers from A Team. JA— Enfield MPS (@MPSEnfield) November 28, 2014
Black Friday at Tesco Edmonton https://t.co/ICqIgtomxp— RupertNeate (@RupertNeate) November 28, 2014
Police have turned up #BlackFridayPolice criticising Tesco manager for failing to provide adequate security— RupertNeate (@RupertNeate) November 28, 2014
7 police cars & 2 ambulance cars outside the Lea Valley Tesco's after scuffles broke out inside #BlackFriday pic.twitter.com/2kK5IukzX6— Laurence Topham (@loztopham) November 28, 2014
Madness, 6am at Surrey Quays Tesco...#BlackFriday begins! @VelchoA pic.twitter.com/CWKQlFoFZB— Nick Speakman (@NickBTSP) November 28, 2014
Meanwhile, in Glasgow a Tesco store at Silverburn was shut after customers clashed over bargains.
If your going to Tesco Silverburn, don't bother. Police have shut it down due to fighting over #BlackFriday sales.— Craig Lin (@CraigLin) November 28, 2014
Things were no different in South Wales where officers were called to control crowds at a number of Tesco stores.
I'm told the tills have been turned off and Tesco Western Avenue Cardiff has been shut down due to Black Friday fighting— Steve Francis (News) (@steve__francis) November 28, 2014
Police say any incidents at Tesco Western Avenue were sorted when they arrived. After 2 callouts they advised staff how to ensure safety.— Steve Francis (News) (@steve__francis) November 28, 2014
Fights break out @Tesco Cardiff for #BlackFriday at midnight, now @asda Cardiff Coryton has extra security for 8am pic.twitter.com/VtSSL5VKUg— Sam Gould (@GouldSam) November 28, 2014
It's estimated that people in Britain will spend around £1.3 billion between Black Friday and Cyber Monday on Dec. 1. Last year, the UK spent £341 million on Black Friday and the figures from the online marketplace expects that this will grow by 6.5 percent this year.
Online retailer Amazon.co.uk previously kick-started the notion of Black Friday in the UK but this year some of the top British stores got involved.