Police have made one arrest on suspicion of violent disorder following an anti-migrant protest in Portsmouth, which saw police vehicles damaged and a small number of officers treated for injuries. The disruption continued into the early hours of Monday.
According to police statements, several vehicles belonging to the force, as well as those of the coastguard and Border Force, sustained damage during the event. While officers received treatment at the scene for injuries, no one in attendance suffered serious harm.
"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," stated a police representative. "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 force also indicated a zero-tolerance policy for online abuse directed at police and partner agencies, noting that RNLI volunteers had previously been targeted on social media. "We will work with our colleagues across policing to address any online threats that are made," a police statement added. "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."
The disorder in Portsmouth followed a similar anti-migrant demonstration that took place at the Port of Dover the preceding day.