A man has been arrested in connection with anti-migrant protests in Portsmouth last weekend.
The 42-year-old, from the Paulsgrove area of Portsmouth, was arrested on Friday morning on suspicion of violent disorder and assaulting a constable in the execution of their duty.
At least 200 anti-migrant activists amassed at the Eastney Marina on Sunday night in a bid to prevent coachloads of some 120 migrants leaving the area, with an eight-hour standoff ensuing.
They blocked the only road in or out of the marina preventing three coaches with the migrants, who had arrived after crossing the Channel, from leaving.
By the early hours of Monday morning, the crowd had thinned and the coaches were able to pass.
Today Hampshire Police announced its first arrest related to the ‘violent public disorder’ and hit back at claims online that the event was a peaceful protest.
The force said officers anticipate ‘a number’ of arrests yet to come, and said they will continue to investigate the disorder alongside officials from Border Force, Maritime & Coastguard Agency, RNLI and Portsmouth City Council.
Several police, coastguard and Border Force vehicles were damaged and small number of officers were treated for injuries at the scene, none of which were serious.
The force said they have so far reviewed three quarters of the video collected at the scene.
At least 200 anti-migrant activists amassed at the Eastney Marina on Sunday night in a bid to prevent coachloads of some 120 migrants leaving the area
Riot police were deployed to the scene, in Portsmouth on Sunday night after hundreds of protesters gathered
Protesters clashed with police near Eastney beach in Portsmouth last night after a dinghy carrying 120 asylum seekers was escorted to the shore
Last Sunday’s protest followed another demonstration on Saturday morning at the port of Dover.
Hundreds of men dressed in black with face coverings and balaclavas blocked access to the port for several hours.
Hampshire’s Assistant Chief Constable Tony Rowlinson said: ‘This morning’s arrest is the first of several anticipated arrests that we will make as part of this investigation based on the footage that has already been viewed.
‘We have been consistently clear that violence and criminal damage have no part in peaceful protest and we will investigate incidents like this thoroughly and take robust action against those responsible.
‘Clearly events on Sunday evening were not peaceful protest, rather violent public disorder, and this will not be tolerated as we work to keep our wider communities in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight safe.
‘The reality of public order policing is that arrests at the time are not always possible, especially where evidence may need to be reviewed to clearly identify who is responsible for offences.
‘I want to be really clear to all of those involved, this arrest is the first of what we fully anticipate to be a number of arrests as we identify those responsible for any assaults to officers, criminal damage to vehicles, or other criminal offences committed on Sunday evening.
‘Our officers did not deserve to be assaulted as they worked incredibly diligently on Sunday to ensure the safety of everyone in the area.
‘Neither do they, or anyone from our partner agencies, deserve to be singled out online or subjected to abuse via social media.
‘We will work with our colleagues across policing to address any online threats that are made.
‘This arrest also sends a clear warning to anyone intent on causing disruption and disorder at any future events. If you break the law we will take action against you and where it is feasible to do so seek a prosecution.’
This is a breaking news story and is being updated.
