RESIDENTS of a city nicknamed the "Spice capital of the North" have revealed their horror as their neighbourhood is overtaken by the "Living Dead".
Locals have told of druggies fighting in the street in front of shoppers and children.
They have been seen handing out Spice and other drugs in broad daylight yards from trendy restaurants and offices.
Workers are terrified of them and locals bars and hotels pray they stay out on the street.
Locals said the Spice addicts were now the main problem after prostitutes were forced out by police.
Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester city centre has long been heavily associated with Spice, a synthetic drug popular with rough sleepers.
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Now Mancunians have told The Sun that the vile drug is still a problem.A street cleaner said: "It's full of them now mate.
"You tend not to get them day time,more first thing and in the evenings. They are like the Living Dead. I just do my job and leave them alone."
One man seen staggering around the gardens appeared to be under the influence of Spice or a similar drug. He was talking to himself and dancing as families walked by.
The drug, which is normally smoked like a cannabis joint, can affect body movement and lead to sudden collapse.Over time addicts are known for their 'Zombie' like body movement and appearance.
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The drug is rife within the prison system and also smoked on the streets of big cities like Manchester.
A bar worker in the Piccadilly area said: "Yes they ( drug users) are a bit of a nightmare. But they never come in here and seem to exist in their own little world. I think all their money goes on drugs. All they want is the Spice thing.
"I have seen a few little scraps in the street when they all fall out. But nothing too serious. But its not nice having them around especially with young families and children walking past. Not good at all really."
A parking warden said: "You mainly spot the druggies in the mornings when they are sleeping it off from the night before.
"The main spot for them is near the archway in Chinatown. That and Piccadilly gardens. When they fall out they mainly scream at each other but you might get the odd scuffle.
"We know they are all on Spice. You can spot them a mile off by the way they walk. "
A receptionist in the office block near Piccadilly Gardens: "Yes there are druggies around here. You see them passing little bits between each other in the street. They have a certain look and we all know who they are.
"You get the odd bit of bother such as vandalism. I had my car windscreen smashed which I was not happy about.
"We used to have sex workers too but they have all been moved out of the city centre now. I think there was some kind of clamp down.
"You used to see girls jumping into cars in broad daylight but not any more. That all moved to behind Piccadilly train station."
Weeks ago scientists at Manchester Metropolitan University issued a warning about vapes being sold in the city which were infected with Spice.
The MANDRAKE centre put out the urgent alert,which revealed that kids smoking the vapes had suddenly collapsed at school.
The incident happened recently at a school in Oldham, Greater Manchester.
Following the alert the neighbouring University of Manchester issued an urgent warning to students about the vapes, which were said to be "extremely dangerous."
Over recent years the courts have heard how the Piccadilly Gardens area has become a hotbed for dealers peddling Spice.
Criminals who used rooms in nearby hotels earned £50k a year selling Spice to punters in the Piccadilly area.
Manchester Crown Court heard how Mohammed Alneyeb, 32, sold drugs from rooms at hotels such as Sachas and Britannia just off the Gardens.
The court also heard how spice dealer Hussan Issa was banned from the Piccadilly Gardens area due to his habitual drug selling.
Jailing the dealers in April 2020 Judge Richard Mansell said:"Manchester has acquired the unenviable tag of the Spice capital of the north."
Judge Mansell told Issa: "You are one of a number of people contributing to the demise of that area of the city."
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The Sun approached Greater Manchester Police for comment.
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