CRITICISM has been launched by Greater Manchester's police chief about the lack of security after fights and unrest broke out overnight during the Black Friday sales at Tesco stores.

Police were called to a number of Tesco stores in Old Trafford, Wigan, Walkden, Salford, Middleton and Hattersley after fighting broke out among bargain hunters,

Staff at the Tesco Extra, on Chester Road, was closed after fights broke out between shoppers trying to get their hands on sale stock.

According to police, a woman suffered minor injuries after being hit by a falling television and an ambulance was called.

The store was closed at 12.36am, just over half an hour after the sales event started.

Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, Sir Peter Fahy, said: "The events of last night were totally predictable and I am disappointed that stores did not have sufficient security staff on duty.

"This created situations where we had to deal with crushing, disorder and disputes between customers.

"It does not help that this was in the early hours when police resources are already stretched.

"Across Greater Manchester large supermarkets already make significant demands on policing through calls to shoplifting, anti-social behaviour and thefts of fuel from their petrol stations - much of which is preventable.

"We just ask these stores to work with us to reduce the demands on policing and reduce the risks of disorder and crime”