About 200 people take part in Plymouth Hoe protest

A group of protestors on Plymouth Hoe behind railings waving the Union Jack and St George's flags. A blue flare has been set off and police watch the scene.
Image caption,

Flag Force Plymouth organised the protest on Plymouth Hoe on Sunday

  • Published

About 200 people have taken part in rival protests in Plymouth.

People congregated on Plymouth Hoe on Sunday afternoon and were separated by about 85 police officers, with several drafted in from Wales.

Flag Force Plymouth and a group of counter-protesters - both totalling about 100 people - were guided towards separate areas by police.

They shouted slogans, banged drums and waved placards.

A group of people stand behind a barrier, placards read "refugees welcome". One protestor has a Captain America shield
Image caption,

Both groups were guided to separate areas by police on Plymouth Hoe

Andy, from Flag Force Plymouth, said the the protest was about "patriotism, and nothing to do with racism" and "this is for raising the colours of the UK".

Jackie Hilton was part of the counter group and said she wanted to "stand up and support people who maybe can't stand up for themselves".

Follow BBC Devon on X, external, Facebook, external and Instagram, external. Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk, external.

Related topics