Three arrests after 'mostly peaceful' protests in south
Hundreds of people gathered in Oxford, chanting and waving signs, on Wednesday
- Published
Two men and a boy were arrested following protests across the south after police said the majority of attendees across the region were "peaceful and respectful".
Portsmouth appeared to have the largest anti-immigration protest - where up to 200 people blocked Mile End Road, just outside the city’s ferry port, and a 17-year-old boy was arrested.
In Southampton up to 400 people gathered and chanted "racists go home", outnumbering about 50 opposing protestors, and two men were arrested.
Ch Supt Tony Rowlinson, of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, said officers took "swift and decisive action to stop those intent on stirring up fear and violence".
Police were called to clear anti-immigration protesters who blocked a major road in Portsmouth
In Portsmouth, the 17-year-old from the city was arrested on suspicion of wilfully obstructing the highway, while in Southampton a 40-year-old from Eastleigh was arrested on suspicion of affray.
An 18-year-old man, also from Eastleigh, was arrested on suspicion of attempting to cause criminal damage.
"We saw hundreds of people attend protests in Southampton, Portsmouth and Aldershot, the majority of which were peaceful and respectful," Mr Rowlinson said.
"However, those few who were determined to cause trouble were quickly dealt with by our officers and have spent the night in custody."
"Everyone has the right to free speech and peaceful protest. However, officers will take a robust stance against those who choose to act outside of the law and use it as an excuse to demonstrate violence and disorder."
On Thursday, a 38-year-old man from the Weymouth area was also arrested on suspicion of violent disorder and assaulting an emergency worker in connection with protests in the town on Sunday.
Shops across the south closed early on Wednesday, with some putting up boards
The demonstrations followed a week of disturbances in parts of England and Northern Ireland following the fatal stabbing of three girls in Southport - with unrest fuelled by misinformation online.
There were outbreaks of violence in towns and cities across England and in Northern Ireland, including in Plymouth, Sunderland, Belfast, Rotherham, Manchester and London.
On Wednesday, thousands of counter-protesters took to the streets, with thousands of police deployed across England poised for more than 100 possible events.
Up to 400 counter-protesters assembled in Southampton
Police officers had to separate opposing groups in Aldershot, where about 100 anti-racism campaigners faced about 50 anti-immigration campaigners.
About 160 people gathered outside the Roundhouse Hotel in Bournemouth, which has been used to house asylum seekers.
Dorset Police’s assistant chief constable Mark Callaghan said no one was arrested but one person was told to leave the area and not return within 12 hours.
“Officers will always seek to de-escalate matters as quickly as possible and we will not hesitate to take necessary action against anyone who deliberately chooses to act outside the law,” he said.
Police prevented opposing groups in Aldershot clashing on Wednesday
In Oxford, several hundred people holding "refugees welcome" signs protested outside Asylum Welcome's office in Magdalen Road.
Ch Supt Ben Clark, of Thames Valley Police, said the anticipation of planned protests had been "fuelled by rumours and speculation on social media".
He said the city's protest was "peaceful" and that many communities across the county "had not been responding or engaging with some of this hate that is being spread on social media".
"For every protest that we have to police - that is officers being taken away from their day jobs, so we are anxious to get to a state of normality as soon as we can," he continued.
Portsmouth appeared to have the largest anti-immigration demonstration
Matthew Barber, the Thames Valley's police and crime commissioner, said the region's police force put in a "huge amount of preparation" ahead of the anticipated protests.
"But frankly I'll be very pleased if all of that preparation goes to waste and we don't see any issues in the Thames Valley, as has been the case so far," he said.
Some officers have had leave cancelled and will be working longer shifts at the weekend, Mr Barber added.
Council leaders across the region also condemned previous disturbances, including in Weymouth, where two police officers were injured on Sunday.
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