10 people have been arrested following a far-right protest that took place in Stoke-on-Trent on Saturday (3 August).
Hundreds gathered at 11.30am in Hanley to protest against immigration. Police and counter-protest groups gathered in the city centre at the same time.
As the protest escalated, missiles were hurled and police officers were assaulted. A large-scale policing operation was instigated in order to de-escalate the violence and control the crowds.
This was one of many protests that took place over the weekend and one of two that took place in Staffordshire. Last night (August 4), a Holiday Inn Express in Tamworth – which houses refugees – was almost set on fire by violent protesters.
These attacks follow the mass stabbing that took place in Southport on 29 July. It is wrongly believed this attack, which resulted in the death of three children, was carried out by an immigrant. False information regarding this attack has fueled the protests.
10 arrests have been made following the protest in Stoke, including the following:
- A 16-year-old boy, from Stoke, was arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon in a public place.
- A 27-year-old man, of no fixed address, was arrested on suspicion of religiously or racially aggravated harassment, alarm, or distress by words.
- A 30-year-old man, from Newcastle-under-Lyme, was arrested on suspicion of common assault.
- A 38-year-old man, from Stoke, was arrested on suspicion of assault by beating.
- A 15-year-old boy and a 36-year-old man, both from Stoke, were arrested on suspicion of violent disorder.
- A 40-year-old man, from Newcastle, and a 26-year-old man, of no fixed address, were arrested on suspicion of violent disorder.
- A 52-year-old man, from Stoke, was arrested on suspicion of assault by beating of an emergency worker.
A total of three officers were assaulted by the protestors. Luckily, these officers only received minor injuries.
Despite widespread rumours, no one was stabbed during the protest on Saturday.
In a statement, Staffordshire Police highlighted: “We’re continuing to dispel false claims that two men were stabbed during the protest following a number of videos that have been shared on social media sites.”
They continued: “We would like to reiterate that two men involved in the incident were hit with a blunt object that was thrown in the air. No stabbings have been reported to police.”
Experienced writer and journalist James McKean leads the daily editorial output at StaffsLive. To contact him, email news@staffslive.co.uk
