Peaceful protest 'descended into intimidating behaviour' says Aldershot MP
Protesters gathered outside the Potter's International Hotel on Wednesday (31 July).
More than 100 people have been arrested in London as further protests took place across the country in the wake of the Southport stabbings.
Protests have taken place across Britain, including in Hartlepool, Manchester, and Aldershot.
Aldershot MP Alex Baker took to social media to rebuke violence in her community, stating that there is "no justification for disorderly behaviour and the scenes do not represent Aldershot and Farnborough".
"I have been liaising with Hampshire Police this evening regarding a significant incident at Potter's International Hotel in Aldershot, where a peaceful protest descended into intimidating behaviour," she said in a statement shared on X.
"I have visited the scene myself this evening and have been in touch with the Chief Inspector. This incident was exacerbated by people from outside our community who came here determined to cause unrest. I would like to pay tribute to the brave police officers who worked hard to restore order.
"There is no justification for disorderly behaviour and the scenes do not represent Aldershot and Farnborough. We all support our shared right to peacefully protest, but we will not stand for people coming into our towns determined to stir up trouble and divide our community."
It comes after violence erupted in Southport on Tuesday following a vigil for three girls killed in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club.
Police officers in Southport suffered serious injuries when bricks, stones and bottles were thrown and cars were set alight during violent protests.
Five people have been arrested over the unrest so far, which saw 53 officers and three police dogs injured.
The unrest comes as a 17-year-old boy has been charged with the murders of three girls at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club in Southport.
Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, were fatally stabbed on Monday when a knifeman entered the dance class on Hart Street in Southport, Merseyside.
Eight other children suffered knife wounds - with five of them in critical condition - while two adults were also critically hurt.