Plymouth protests: Six arrests with more expected

Six people were arrested and several police officers were injured during violent protests in Plymouth city centre, police have said.

Two groups of protesters clashed on Royal Parade and outside the Guildhall on Monday evening in the latest of a series of incidents across the UK following the killing of three girls in Southport, Merseyside, on 29 July.

Devon and Cornwall Police said people intent on committing public order or criminal offences were dealt with “robustly” with six arrests made and further arrests expected.

The force said some officers sustained minor injuries, while two members of the public were taken to hospital to be treated for injuries.

Assistant Chief Constable Nikki Leaper, Devon and Cornwall Police, said there would be further arrests.

“We will not accept violence on the streets here, and we are going after other people who have committed criminal offences,” she said.

The six already arrested remained in custody, she added.

She urged anyone with footage or pictures to get in contact.

The force issued an appeal for witnesses, including to anyone who had video or photographs, following the protests.

“We welcome peaceful protests, but as we saw, some people committed violence last night, criminal damage and assault,” said ACC Leaper.

“We had 150 officers deployed on the front line, and I would like to thank my officers for their bravery, for their professionalism in dealing with events.”

Several officers had received minor injuries.

“We will absolutely welcome and police, that’s what we are trained to do, but violence will not be tolerated on the streets,” she said.

The force said its “approach to this operation was to enable peaceful protests, but people who were intent on committing public order or criminal offences, have and will be dealt with robustly”.

Clashes broke out between the groups, which consisted of anti-immigration protesters on one side of Royal Parade, which separates the city from the Hoe and waterfront, and a counter demonstration on the other.

A police van was also damaged during the protests.

Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez said officers were called in from neighbouring forces, including Avon and Somerset, Wiltshire and Dorset, to help.

She said bricks and fireworks were thrown at police but there were no serious injuries.

“The violence we saw last night is completely unacceptable,” she said.

“I would like to pay tribute to the front-line officers who put the public’s wellbeing ahead of their own in order to gain control of the situation, and in doing so were hurt in the line of duty.”

Jemima Laing, Plymouth City Council’s deputy leader, said the authority would start assessing any damage caused and repairs required on Tuesday morning.

Ms Laing said: “I remain incredibly angry on behalf of Plymouth that so many people from outside our city felt emboldened to come here and cause disruption and unrest.

“Thuggery on tour is not acceptable.”

Reporting from Royal Parade, BBC Radio Devon’s Hattie McCann said the clean-up operation had already started.

“Standing here on the plaza on the Royal Parade, you would never know anything has happened,” she said.

“There are a couple of broken bottles and lots of street cleaners – and Plymouth City Council are out in full force.”

Plymouth City Council said streets had been “strewn with debris from rocks and glass bottles together with small paving stones which had been ripped from the ground”.

There were also a number of damaged bins including a burnt out bin on the Hoe and rubbish left strewn near Tinside lido.

Councillor Sally Haydon, cabinet member for community safety, said thanks to a clean-up operation which started at 04:00 BST “for any of these thugs that wanted to come to our city and try and destroy and they didn’t achieve it”.

“Our city is back to normal. It’s buzzing, it’s normal and feeling very safe,” she said.

She said the damage done by protesters was “absolutely disgusting”.

“Peaceful protest is absolutely fine,” the councillor said.

“But if you want to come to this city and try and destroy our city, you are not welcome.”

Her “thoughts and prayers” were with the victims of the Southport stabbings.

“As a country we need to come together,” she said.

Plymouth Citybus said it was unable to serve routes along Royal Parade until 06:45 BST on Tuesday.

The bus firm said on X, formerly Twitter: “Please be patient as things take a little time to return to normal operation.”

In a second tweet, Citybus thanked passengers for their patience and urged people to “be kind” to each other.

Several businesses in and around the Royal Parade area, including the Theatre Royal Plymouth (TRP), which cancelled its scheduled performance of The Devil Wears Prada musical, closed early on Monday ahead of the protests.

Theatre chief executive James Mackenzie-Blackman said he was relieved that the theatre took action “to keep our audiences, staff and performers safe and away from the violence” and there was no damage to the building.

“The scenes on the streets of Plymouth last night, and especially in and around our theatre, were truly shocking,” he said.

“What happened was not peaceful protest. It was far-right racist rioting fuelled by misinformation, aimed at dividing our community.

“This is not Plymouth, this is not TRP, and we will not let the events of last night further impact our operation.”

Josh Thomas, who lives on the Hoe, said hundreds of people ended up by the war memorial later in the evening

He said a fire was set by the war memorial at one point before a group of about 100 protesters went down the street he lives on and attacked a car.

“There’s no clear message, there’s nothing to gain from what went on, it was kind of a bit mindless,” Mr Thomas said.

The Right Reverend James Grier, the Bishop of Plymouth, said it was time for people to help bring calm back in the city.

“There are consequences and justice needs to be done and actions need to be taken,” he said.

“But that’s not down to us, the normal people, our job is to speak peace and love and community rather than propagate aggression and violence.”

“We appeal to everyone to turn away from violence and embrace peace and reconciliation”

Canon Paul Cummins, administrator for the Catholic Diocese of Plymouth, said scenes of disorder had “brought fear and anxiety to the streets of Weymouth and Plymouth”.

“We appeal to everyone to turn away from violence and embrace peace and reconciliation,” he said.

“We reaffirm our solidarity with those of different faiths, races and cultures who have sought refuge in our diocese. This is your home.”