Preparations for protests pay off, says police chief

Hundreds of protesters took to the streets in Westcliff-on-Sea

Essex Police said its preparations paid off after anticipated anti-immigration protests in the county did not take place.

Online posts had called for demonstrations at hotels used to house asylum seekers and at immigration support centres on Wednesday evening.

About 500 anti-racism counter-protesters gathered in Southend-on-Sea, but the demonstration was peaceful.

Assistant Chief Constable Andy Mariner thanked his officers and said the force's preparedness meant "the situation was never at risk of escalating".

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Officers were concentrated in Southend and Chelmsford due to information about possible disruption.

No arrests were made in connection with protests.

Mr Mariner said: “We know there was information circulating which was naturally causing concerns among our communities.

"We were prepared and the upshot of that preparedness was that the situation was never at risk of escalating."

He went on to thank officers, many of whom changed plans to be able to work.

“As chief officers, we never take this for granted; officers have made alternative childcare or care arrangements to be available to work tonight, they may have had other plans with friends and family but made themselves available to work – all because of their sense of duty to the Essex public, and for that I thank them.”

Roger Hirst, the Essex Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, thanked the force and partners who "worked hard to combat disinformation online".

He said false information spreading online was "stirring up hatred and division" and urged people not to share it.