Police injured and van damaged in city protests
Protesters gathered on either side of Royal Parade
- Published
A police van was damaged as violence broke out amid protests in Plymouth city centre.
Two groups gathered earlier on either side of Royal Parade, chanting slogans at each other, followed by skirmishes between protesters and officers.
Several officers received minor injuries and seven people were arrested for criminal criminal offences and public order offences, Devon and Cornwall Police said.
Plymouth City Council had advised residents to avoid the city centre due to the demonstrations, which follow similar ones elsewhere in England this week.
About 150 officers were deployed
Supt Russell Dawe said about 150 officers had been drafted in to the police operation.
"We continue to police the ongoing events in Plymouth with a high-visibility policing presence," he told BBC News.
"We've seen levels of violence across the city, and unfortunately several officers have sustained minor injuries.
"I would like to reassure the community that we are fully resourced for this and we have a strong police presence in the city centre."
Police said they were now de-escalating the situation
Mr Dawe added: "Violence will not be tolerated.
"Sadly a number of individuals have seen fit to cause disorder. This type of behaviour is unacceptable with our communities."
He said work to "descalate this disorder" was ongoing.
"I'd like to say the majority of people have behaved within the law and I'd like to thank them for this, but we will continue to take positive action against those individuals who commit offences.
"We've carried out a number of arrests this evening for a range of public order offences and assaults and our policing operation continues."
"Peaceful protest is is acceptable.
"Now is the time to return home and stop this level of disorder, which is unnecessary and unacceptable within Plymouth."
The protests in Plymouth are the latest in a series across England
Assistant Chief Constable Jim Colwell praised the "very brave, robust policing in Plymouth this evening... responding to abhorrent, mindless criminal behaviour".
Labour's Plymouth Sutton and Devonport MP Luke Pollard said in a statement on X: that those who had "brought violence" and abused people for their race had "no place in our city".
"That's not what Plymouth is about," he said.
The protests in Plymouth are the latest in a series that began after the killing of three young girls in Southport, Merseyside, on 29 July.
Buses, which were earlier rerouted away from Royal Parade, have now also been rerouted away from other areas of the city including North Hill beyond North Road East, Charles Street, Ebrington Street, Exeter Street, Royal Parade, Mayflower Street and Derrys Cross.
Plymouth City Bus said on social media that the change was "due to the escalating situation in Plymouth city centre".
'Avoid city centre'
The city council had said people should consider staying away from the city "to ensure your safety".
It said it had deployed extra CCTV cameras across the city centre, and was working with local businesses.
Some shops and venues decided to close early, including the Theatre Royal, which cancelled a performance of The Devil Wears Prada.
"Our audience members, staff and performers are our priority," it said.
"After discussions with the local authority, and other local partners, the decision to close was taken in everyone’s best interest."
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