Police Prepare for Potential Disorder as Far-Right Groups Promote Anti-Migrant Protests Across England

Published: 08 August. The English Chronicle Online

Authorities across England are preparing for possible unrest this weekend as far-right groups mobilize protests against asylum seekers, with counter-demonstrations planned by anti-racism activists. Police presence will be heightened in multiple towns and cities, including areas such as Norwich and Nuneaton, amid concerns over tensions and the potential for disorder.

In Norwich, strict restrictions will be enforced from Friday afternoon through early Saturday morning, including orders requiring individuals to remove face coverings when requested by officers and powers allowing police to disperse anyone engaging in antisocial behaviour. Elsewhere, police will monitor at least a dozen towns and cities where protests and counter-protests are expected to unfold.

The situation is particularly sensitive in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, where a scheduled demonstration outside the council offices is intertwined with heightened community tensions following controversial claims made by a local Reform UK council leader. The leader alleged that Warwickshire police withheld information regarding the alleged rape of a 12-year-old girl, claims firmly denied by Chief Constable Alex Franklin-Smith, who emphasized that the force “did not and will not cover up such criminality.” Despite this, the case has added to the charged atmosphere around the protest.

The protests, which have been gaining traction through the involvement of far-right groups including supporters of activist Tommy Robinson, mirror a pattern of anti-migrant demonstrations seen across England in recent months. Local residents have also participated in some protests, but the organizational push and amplification by extremist influencers have intensified the situation.

Chief Constable BJ Harrington, chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s operations coordination committee, urged the public to be cautious about misinformation circulating online, stressing the importance of verifying information through official sources. “The spread of disinformation and misinformation by individuals or groups can significantly contribute to community tensions and has real-world implications,” Harrington said, underlining the responsibility of all in curbing inflammatory online content.

Police forces remain committed to protecting the right to peaceful protest while being vigilant in preventing and responding to any outbreak of violence or disorder. Public order units and evidence-gathering teams are on standby to intervene as necessary.

Hope Not Hate, an organization that monitors extremist activity, noted that while attendance at protests can be unpredictable, the current wave of demonstrations more closely resembles last year’s anti-migrant protests rather than the more violent unrest experienced earlier this year. Georgie Laming, director of campaigns at Hope Not Hate, remarked that some protests may not materialize, while others could still attract significant numbers.

Recent weeks have witnessed violent clashes, notably in Essex, where protests outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Epping escalated into attacks on police officers and damage to police vehicles. Despite opposition groups outnumbering far-right protesters at times, far-right factions such as the Homeland party and Patriotic Alternative continue to orchestrate demonstrations, seeking to broaden their influence.

In London, confrontations occurred near a hotel in Islington, where far-right activists faced off against counter-protesters from Stand Up to Racism. Another demonstration is anticipated in Canary Wharf, targeting a hotel suspected of accommodating asylum seekers. Notably, a “pink protest,” involving women and children, has taken place, though far-right activists and influencers have also played a role in activities around the site and online.

As the weekend approaches, police forces remain on high alert, balancing the protection of lawful assembly with efforts to prevent disorder and safeguard communities from escalating tensions rooted in divisive and inflammatory rhetoric. The evolving situation underscores ongoing challenges surrounding asylum, migration, and community cohesion within England.