Charlie Wilson, 17, was stunned when an officer slapped him in handcuffs
Charlie Wilson, 17, being arrested by a police officer(Image: Greater Manchester Police© SWNS)
In a shocking incident, a teenage hopeful for Britain’s Got Talent was arrested and handcuffed by a police officer while busking.
Charlie Wilson, a 17 year old student, was stunned when he was arrested by a police officer in Bury town centre on August 24. He was told that he could face a fine of £1,000.
The police bodycam footage reveals the officer telling the teenager that he is violating an order by using an amplified speaker. The officer then threatens to ‘lock him up’ if he doesn’t stop his performance.
Charlie, who had been performing Dani and Lizzy’s Dancing in the Sky, argues with the officer but is warned that he will be arrested if he continues.
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As he seems to be packing away his equipment, the officer repeatedly asks for his name. He is then told that he is under arrest and is handcuffed.
Bystanders expressed their shock at the police response, while another passer-by told Charlie that he had ‘made her little girl’s day’.
The officer approaches Charlie, activates his bodycam, and informs him: “There’s a PSPO in, means that you can’t use amplifiers.”
A Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), enforced by Bury Council, bans the use of amplifiers anywhere within the town’s ring road.
The teenager, seemingly unaware of the rules, lowers his music and pleads with the officer, saying “Everyone’s enjoying it, man, what’s the need?”
‘I tried to deal with you nicely’
Following a tense exchange, Charlie began packing away his £600 amplifier and microphone, but the officer then demanded his name.
The officer said: “I don’t want to have to, but if you’re not telling me your name I will lock you up for it.”
When a visibly nervous Charlie refused to provide his details, The officer tells him he is under arrest and secures him in handcuffs.
He said: “I tried to deal with you nicely, I told you many, many times how we can deal with this nicely.”
Charlie Wilson, 17, being approached by the police officer in Bury town centre(Image: Greater Manchester Police© SWNS)
A shocked bystander can be heard on the footage exclaiming “This is not right, this is so excessive”, whilst two additional police officers arrived to support the arresting constable.
Charlie was released from arrest several minutes later after providing his name and address to the officer.
Since his arrest, Charlie has received a letter from Bury Council giving him ‘formal notification’ to ‘refrain from engaging in further anti-social behaviour’.
Speaking after the incident, Charlie said: “I was concerned about getting a fine.
“I knew you could get a fine, that’s why I was a bit hesitant to give him my information like my name and address.
Charlie Wilson, 17, at first refused to give his name and address(Image: Greater Manchester Police© SWNS)
“I was concerned that he was going to use that to take me to court and use all the money I’d saved up.
“There was no disrespect on my behalf.”
He added: “I was scared, I’m not a bad kid. I’ve never had any experience like that.
“It was embarrassing for me as a singer – people were watching, if they see that they’re going to think the worst.”
Since the incident, Charlie, who also posts his performances on his TikTok page, has travelled down to London for an in-person audition for an upcoming series of Britain’s Got Talent, where he sung Radiohead’s Creep in front of the show’s producers.
Since the incident, Greater Manchester Police’s superintendent Phil Spurgeon met with Charlie and mum Joanne Leach to discuss the incident.
Charlie Wilson, 17, in handcuffs after being arrested(Image: Greater Manchester Police© SWNS)
In an email sent to the mum following the meeting, the superintendent writes: “The officer accepted my view that they could have used discretion for this matter.”
He added: “While the officer maintains they were exercising lawful powers, my view is that their actions were not proportionate or necessary in terms of threat, harm and risk to the public.
“As we discussed in our meeting however, that does not give a ‘green light’ to Charlie to continue busking in Bury town centre.”
Public Spaces Protection Orders, or PSPOs, were introduced in 2014 to tackle ‘anti-social behaviour.’
Charlie Wilson, 17, was de-arrested a short time after giving his details to the police officer(Image: Greater Manchester Police© SWNS)
Local councils can implement prohibitions and restrictions on a wide range of activities, like drinking alcohol, cycling, keeping dogs on leads, sleeping in public, and busking.
A Greater Manchester Police press office spokesperson said: “At around 2.25pm on 24 August 2025, GMP officers on a targeted operation in Bury town centre tackling crime and anti-social behaviour arrested a 17-year-old boy on suspicion of breach of Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO).
“He was de-arrested shortly after.”
Bury Council declined to issue a full statement, but a spokesperson said the PSPO is due for review in 2026.