Police are preparing for potential disorder in various towns across England this weekend due to the far-right promotion of protests against asylum seekers. Anti-racism activists are also planning counter-protests. Restrictions will be in place on Friday at locations including Norwich, with officers policing 12 other towns and cities that evening.
There are particular concerns surrounding a planned protest on Saturday at council offices in Nuneaton, where Warwickshire police are addressing claims by a Reform UK council leader regarding the alleged rape of a 12-year-old girl.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council’s operations coordination committee chair, Chief Constable BJ Harrington, emphasizes the importance of being cautious with online sources and seeking accurate information from formal authorities. He states that the spread of disinformation and misinformation can contribute to community tensions and have real-world implications.
Hope Not Hate’s Director of Campaigns, Georgie Laming, notes the unpredictability of attendance at these protests, which could range from minimal to significant crowds. The protests follow clashes in Essex last month, where violence erupted after a protest outside a hotel housing asylum seekers.
Activists from far-right groups like Homeland and Patriotic Alternative are involved in organizing some of the protests. There have also been clashes outside hotels in Islington and Canary Wharf in London, involving far-right activists and anti-racism groups.
Chief Constable Alex Franklin-Smith of Warwickshire has dismissed claims of a cover-up regarding the alleged rape case, stating that the police “did not and will not cover up such criminality.” Additional measures will be in place during the protest in Bowthorpe, Norwich, including the removal of face coverings when asked and the direction to leave the area if committing or likely to commit antisocial behavior.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/aug/08/police-england-brace-disorder-far-right-promote-anti-migrant-protests
