Three people "removed from area" by police during anti-immigration and anti-racism marches
A sea of flags and placards made its way from the pier to Guildhall over the weekend as opposing demonstrators took part in marches.
Anti-immigration protestors from the South Coast Patriots and its rival group, Stand up to Racism, both gathered near Clarence Pier on Sunday afternoon (November 23) to march through the city.
The demonstrators marched through the city, ending up at Guildhall Square with a heavy police presence noticeable throughout the organised walk.
Despite no arrests being made during the marches, the police have confirmed that three people were removed from the area using dispersal powers.
A post on the Portsmouth Police’s Facebook page said: “Sunday saw the Constabulary provide our city with more resourcing to police a march and assembly and counter march and assembly in our city which eventually came to a stop in the Guildhall Square.
“On this occasion we did use our Dispersal Powers for three individuals who were removed from the area which allows both sides to get on with the purpose of their gathering.
“This why this use of the power can be so effective and needed often these events can seem disruptive to traffic and the community and so they do need policing whilst respecting the rights of those people to have their voices heard.”
The marches come following a series of protests in the city and its surrounding area over the past few months with the largest being held in Waterlooville in opposition of planned asylum seeker accommodation. Those plans have since been scrapped.