Milton Keynes anti-vax protest offences investigated

Police have issued an image of a woman they would like to speak to

Police said they were investigating theft, assault, criminal damage, public nuisance and violent disorder after an anti-vaccination protest.

Dozens of protesters entered a NHS Test and Trace centre and at a theatre in Milton Keynes on Wednesday.

Thames Valley Police said it had identified 38 witnesses and had received four hours of video footage.

Ch Insp Graham Hadley said the force was "conducting a thorough investigation into the protest".

"Officers are also continuing to provide reassurance to staff and visitors at the testing site," he added.

Police earlier released a CCTV image of a woman they were trying to trace in connection with theft at the centre during the protest.

The force said "an individual was seen to take equipment", but no arrests had been made.

Protesters appeared to damage and remove testing equipment in videos shared on social media.

Protesters left anti-vaccination stickers on the banners at the NHS Test and Trace site

Footage also showed the marchers throwing traffic cones towards a marquee set up to administer tests at the NHS centre, and knocking down signs.

Abuse was shouted at staff by some of the protesters.

On Thursday, Home Secretary Priti Patel said on Twitter: "It is completely unacceptable that conspiracy theorists are intimidating and harassing those administering tests or delivering the life-saving vaccine programme."

Health Secretary Sajid Javid also condemned the protest, saying: "This kind of vile behaviour is unacceptable."

The protests happened on the day Prime Minister Boris Johnson visited a vaccination centre in Milton Keynes, and encouraged people to get a booster jab.

Activists also entered Milton Keynes Theatre during a pantomime on Wednesday afternoon.

Writing on social media, a spokesman for the theatre said "a group of protestors forced their way into the venue's foyer before being escorted out of the building by the police".

"Although we respect the right to choose whether to have a vaccination, we rebuke the actions taken today that saw our staff and patrons frightened and assaulted," he said.

'Not adequate'

Matthew Barber, Police and Crime Commissioner for the Thames Valley force, released a statement in which he "wholeheartedly condemned" the actions of the protesters.

However, he also said he was concerned "that Thames Valley Police should be adequately prepared for such events and should respond appropriately".

He said a review was under way but "it does appear that, although there was activity by the police to contain the protest... the scale of the protest and the target of the testing site was not anticipated and therefore not adequately responded to".

Mr Barber said the force had "an excellent reputation for managing protests" and "enabling the right to peaceful protest is an important principle of British policing".

However, he added: "The incident [on Wednesday] went beyond that... and it leaves many with the impression that the initial policing response was not adequate."

A Thames Valley Police spokeswoman said the force did not wish to comment on the PCC's statement.