Ton of arrests made as Whitehall disorder follows protests in wake of Southport killings
A protest badged as ‘Enough is Enough’ took place in Whitehall last night – with more than 100 arrests made for violent disorder after clashes with police.
The gatherings in Westminster from around 7pm near Downing Street mirrored incidents reported elsewhere in the country in Hartlepool and Manchester in the aftermath of the tragic murders of three young children in Southport.
The Met had engaged protesters in relation to the start time, location and end time of the protest, but the angry mood escalated, ending in clashes with police.
The Met said: “More than 100 people have been arrested for offences including violent disorder, assault on an emergency worker and breach of peace conditions. Some officers suffered minor injuries.”
Demonstrators were seen throwing beer cans and glass bottles at a line of police in riot gear in front of Downing Street and throwing flares on to the statue of Winston Churchill in Parliament Square.
Protesters chanted: “We want our country back” and voiced support for right wing activist Tommy Robinson.
Superintendent Neil Holyoak, who led the policing operation, said: “Following the tragic events in Southport, it is understandable the public have strong feelings about this shocking incident – but the subsequent violent, unlawful disorder that unfolded was completely unacceptable and driven by misinformation.
“Everyone has a right to protest and we continue to balance the right to lawful protest with everyone’s right to go about their lives without fear or serious disruption – which is why we have put conditions in place and deployed more officers across London.
“We are speaking to the protest organisers as well as local community groups, businesses and religious leaders, in particular the Muslim community who have been impacted by this week’s disorder in Southport.
“I urge everyone to exercise their right to protest calmly and within the law. Any disorder will be dealt with swiftly.”
Pictured top: Police at Whitehall (Picture: Wikimedia Commons/Hullian111 – Wikimedia page here)
