Anti-racism demonstrators gather across the South
Fears of further unrest failed to materialise on Wednesday night
Last updated 8th Aug 2024
Hundreds of anti-racism demonstrators have taken to streets across the South, as planned far-right protests failed to materialise last night (Wednesday 7th).
Large numbers of officers were deployed in response to fears of violent disorder following a week of protests linked to the deaths of three girls in a knife attack in Southport in Merseyside on July 30th.
The disorder has stemmed from misinformation online, wrongly identifying the suspect of the attack, which left three little girls dead and many others injured.
Among the areas to see counter-demonstrations was Southampton, where police in Grosvenor Square separated members of the group Stand Up to Racism from a small number of demonstrators covered with Union Jack flags.
In Portsmouth, police were called out to move on a small number of protestors who went onto the M275 motorway.
Around 100 people took part in a demonstration at the UK Border Agency building in Kettering Terrace, close to Portsmouth International Port.
Meanwhile, police in Bournemouth said around 160 people gathered in the Lansdowne area on Wednesday night outside a hotel believed to be housing asylum seekers.
Assistant Chief Constable Mark Callaghan of Dorset Police said:
"We are fully aware of the concern among our communities of the impact of potential disorder and we responded swiftly to reports to ensure disruption to residents, visitors and businesses was kept to a minimum.
"The vast majority of people behaved within the law and we would like to thank them for their conduct. There were no arrests, however one person was given a legal order to leave the area and not return within 12 hours.
"As we have shown this evening, and at demonstrations in Weymouth on Sunday, we are well trained to maintain public order and have specially trained officers and plans in place to deal with any outbreaks of disorder.
"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."
More of those arrested in the unrest of the past week will appear on court on Thursday, including some likely to be jailed on live television.
Three men were jailed on Wednesday for up to three years after admitting violent disorder following riots in Liverpool city centre.
On Wednesday evening, large numbers of counter-protesters gathered in areas including Walthamstow, east London, Bristol, Brighton, Liverpool and Sheffield.
According to Stand Up to Racism, an estimated 25,000 people took to the streets to take a stand – they said – against racism and violence.
This included around 8,000 in Walthamstow, 7,000 in Bristol and 2,000 in Liverpool. Similar numbers were seen in Brighton and Newcastle, the group said.
In Walthamstow the crowd were chanting “Whose streets? Our streets” and “Say it loud, say it clear, refugees are welcome here”.
Mahmood Faez told the PA news agency: “It fills our hearts. Regardless of race, religion, sexuality, this sends a strong message to racists that they are not wanted and they are not needed here.”
Officers were understood to be preparing to respond to more than 100 planned protests and potentially around 30 more counter-protests on Wednesday, with gatherings anticipated in 41 of the 43 police force areas in England and Wales.
One police source said it was “probably going to be the busiest day of the week, into the evening”.
Despite the majority of forces facing little trouble, the Metropolitan Police said about 50 people gathered in North End Road, Croydon, south London, and had “made clear their intention is to cause disruption and fuel disorder”.
The force said those present in Croydon had dragged and thrown objects down the road, and thrown bottles at officers with 10 people arrested, including four for violent disorder and one for assaulting an emergency workers.
The Met said: “This is not linked to protest, this appears to be pure antisocial behaviour.”
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Andy Valentine said more than 1,000 officers were deployed in London, and the anti-racism protests in Walthamstow and Finchley passed “without major incident or disruption”.
He added: “I want to thank our communities for coming together across the capital and for showing community spirit this evening.”
Dozens of police officers in Aldershot separated opposing groups after tempers flared on Wednesday evening.
Protesters holding Stand Up To Racism placards had been chanting “refugees are welcome here”.
A group across the road had been chanting back “stop the boats” and some walked towards the Stand Up To Racism demonstrators, stopping traffic, and angry shouting occurred.
Avon and Somerset Police said officers made an arrest after a brick was thrown at a police vehicle during a “largely peaceful” protest in Bristol.
Wednesday’s counter demonstrations came as those arrested over the past week continue to appear in court later this week.
Four men will be sentenced in Liverpool on Thursday after pleading guilty to violent disorder.
William Nelson Morgan, who admitted to violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon, and John O’Malley, who pleaded guilty to violent disorder, will be sentenced live on television at Liverpool Crown Court.
Adam Wharton, who pleaded guilty to burglary with intent to steal, and his brother Ellis Wharton, who admitted to the same charge, will both also be sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court.
Three men in Plymouth will also be sentenced on Thursday after pleading guilty to violent disorder.
Daniel McGuire, Michael Williams and Lucas Ormond Skeaping have each admitted a charge of violent disorder relating to protests in the Devon city on August 5.
Cristopher Douglas will appear in court at Hull Magistrates’ Court after being charged with violent disorder and possession of class B drugs following unrest in the city on August 3.
On Wednesday, some defendants were reduced to tears as they heard they would be kept in prison before their next hearings.
Liam Ryan, 28, from Bradford, West Yorkshire, cried as he pleaded guilty to violent disorder after disturbances in Manchester city centre on Saturday.
Derek Drummond was jailed for three years at Liverpool Crown Court for violent disorder – alongside Declan Geiran and Liam James Riley who were sentenced to 30 months and 20 months in prison respectively after also admitting violent disorder following riots in Liverpool city centre.
The Stormont Executive is set to meet on Thursday to discuss the response to continuing disorder in Belfast.
Police are investigating race-related hate crimes and disorder across the city on Tuesday, following on from other disorder and violence in the past week.