Police have said that no arrests were made at protests centred around Highfield House Hotel on Sunday (Nov 30), but two people were ordered to leave the dispersal order area.
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As reported, protesting groups again faced each other on Sunday afternoon outside the hotel following a march through Portswood organised by Southampton Stand Up to Racism.
Footage posted on X (what was Twitter) appeared to show an arrest taking place on St Denys Road, but police have confirmed that over the afternoon in fact they ordered two people to leave using section 34 dispersal order powers.
A spokesperson said: “During the gathering last weekend, our teams used the dispersal order in place on two occasions, ordering a 17-year-old boy and 42-year-old man both from Southampton, to leave the designated area and not return.
“If you were in attendance, this may initially have looked to be officers conducting an arrest. When a dispersal order is used, a person is asked for their details and should they refuse then they may be arrested, however if they then provide their information, then officers can cease this and utilise the dispersal order as originally planned.”
They confirmed: “No arrests were made at the protest on Sunday.”