Piccadilly Gardens and other areas of the city centre has always had undesirable sides to it. But it was never so much 'out in the open' as it is now, because the dregs of this fucked up society we have allowed to happen, have zero fear nor respect of the law. 'You can't touch me' is their cover all response.
That it's like this, is as much the fault of the system as it is the feral rats strutting around the place thinking they are 'gangstas' (innit). The system took away any forms of discipline in schools, siding instead with 'my poor little Johnny' and his 'parents', hiding behind him supposedly having ADHD, and not just being a little bastard ...... and they then grow into what we see today.
You really do reap what you sow.