Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary has thanked residents, businesses and visitors of Southampton for “their patience and cooperation” during Sunday’s protests.
Photo: Dan O'Farrell

 

The afternoon saw a ‘Southampton Patriot’ protest march from Highfield House Hotel to Hoglands Park via Thomas Lewis Way.

Counter-demonstrators followed the route originally planned for the ‘Patriots’ march, walking from Portswood through the city to the Peace Fountain in East Andrews Park.

Police said for the first time in the force’s history, officers made use of a specific piece of legislation to help maintain the safety of those protesting and the wider public.

Under Section 12 of the Public Act 1986, those involved in an anti-immigration procession had to follow a specific route throughout the city, from Highfield Lane to Hoglands Park.

Officers used on-the-ground tactics to safely keep protesters and counter-protesters apart.

 The counter demonstration. Photo: Dan O'Farrell

In what police described as a “fast-changing and dynamic situation”, they said they temporarily made the decision to close part of Thomas Lewis Way as the protesters made their way along the agreed route.

Shortly after 2pm, police responded to a report that a bottle had been thrown from the footbridge over Thomas Lewis Way in St Denys. The force said no injuries were reported. A 45-year-old man from Southampton was arrested on suspicion of a public order offence. He remains in custody while enquiries continue.

Assistant chief constable Paul Bartolomeo said: “We recognise that events of this nature can cause disruption to daily routines, travel and local services. The public’s understanding and support played a vital role in ensuring the event remained peaceful and safe for those involved.

“We are grateful for the community’s resilience and the respectful way in which the public responded. Our officers worked closely with organisers and partners to facilitate the right to peaceful protest while minimising the impact on the wider community.

 Anti-immigration protesters on Thomas Lewis Way. Photo: L Weedy

“We remain committed to open communication and working together to keep Southampton, and the whole of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, a safe and welcoming place for all.”

More than £100,000 from the Police and Crime Commissioner’s budget was spent in August to manage protests across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones revealed the figure during a meeting of a Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Crime Panel.
Jones said that the force is among those dealing with the highest number of protests each month.