Videos posted online appear to show large crowds at multiple shopping centres across the UK

21:25, Sun, May 17, 2026 Updated: 21:31, Sun, May 17, 2026

Police gather outside the Swatch store in St. Davids Shopping centre on May 16, 2026 in Cardiff, Wales

About 300 people were trying to get into a Swatch shop in Cardiff (Image: Getty)

A major high street chain has closed branches across the UK and warned customers not to rush to its shops amid safety concerns after huge crowds descended on shopping centres. Swatch announced it was closing a shop in Manchester on Sunday (May 17) for a second day after scores of people queued for the launch of a new pocket watch.

Police were called to the shop at the Trafford Centre on Saturday, with an arrest also made in Cardiff. Videos posted online appeared to show huge crowds at multiple shopping centres across the UK with police near a number of outlets.

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Police were called to St David’s shopping centre in the Welsh capital after reports about 300 people were trying to get into a Swatch shop at 6.20am on Saturday, according to South Wales Police.

The force said a 25-year-old man from Pengam was arrested and issued with a Section 35 dispersal notice.

A man shows off his new Swatch pocket watch

Swatch launched its Audemars Piguet x Swatch Royal Pop Collection on Saturday (Image: Getty)

Greater Manchester Police said officers were also sent to the Trafford Centre in Manchester and "dispersed a large number of people".

Swatch posted on Facebook on Saturday saying in light of safety considerations for its customers and staff branches in Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Sheffield, Glasgow and Cardiff would be closed for the day, along with all of its outlets London.

It posted later on Saturday saying: "To all our dear fans worldwide of our AP x Swatch collab, launched on May 16.

"To ensure the safety of both our customers and our staff in Swatch stores, we kindly ask you not to rush to our stores in large numbers to acquire this product."

Swatch said its Royal Pop Collection would remain available for several months, adding: "In some countries, queues of more than 50 people cannot be accepted and sales may need to be paused."

A crowd outside a Swatch shop in New York

Crowds have gathered outside Swatch shops around the world, including in New York (pictured) (Image: Getty)

The company posted again on Sunday saying the Manchester shop would be closed for the day "in light of safety considerations".

Swatch launched the Audemars Piguet x Swatch Royal Pop Collection on Saturday at selected branches worldwide, according to the company’s website. Purchases are limited to one watch per person, per day, and per shop.

A spokesperson for South Wales Police said the force was called at 6.20am on Saturday May 16 to a group of approximately 300 people trying to enter the St David’s 2 shopping centre.

They added: "A 25-year-old man from Pengam was arrested and issued with a Section 35 dispersal notice with the conditions that they are not to enter Cardiff City Centre again during Saturday May 16."

Greater Manchester Police was called shortly before 6am on Saturday "following reports of a disturbance at the Trafford centre", according to a spokesperson.

They said: "Officers attended and alongside security staff dispersed a large number of people who were inside the centre. No arrests have been made."