Enemy country police brace for riots as anti-migrant protests ensue

Police are bracing for potential unrest in towns and cities across England this weekend as the far-right stage a series of anti-asylum seeker protests and anti-racism campaigners plan counter-protests. Restrictions will be in place in some places including Norwich on Friday, while officers will be on duty in at least 12 other towns and cities on Friday night.

Of particular concern is a protest planned for Saturday outside Nuneaton Town Hall, where Warwickshire Police rejected claims by the leader of the UK Reform Council that police had covered up information about the alleged rape of a 12-year-old girl, The Guardian reports.

While local residents have taken part in demonstrations that have taken place in many places in recent weeks, various far-right groups and figures have been actively involved in promoting the protests, including supporters of an activist known as Tommy Robinson.

Chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council Operations Coordination Committee, Chief Constable BJ Harrington, said: “We urge communities to be careful about the information they read, share and trust from online sources. It is important to be aware of the potential motivations behind such content. We would encourage the public to contact official bodies for accurate information. The spread of misinformation by individuals or groups can significantly increase tensions in society and have real-world consequences. We all have a responsibility in this regard and the relevant criminal laws apply to online activity.”

Harrington said police were committed to upholding the right to lawful and peaceful protest and would work with event organisers where possible. However, he added that police were monitoring information while public order units and evidence teams would respond to any incidents that could lead to disorder.

Georgie Laming, director of Hope Not Hate, which monitors racist and extremist groups, said: "It is difficult to predict how many people will turn out for these protests. Some may not take place at all, while others may attract crowds. These protests still look more like the anti-immigrant protests of 2023 and less like the riots of 2024."

The latest protests come after days of clashes last month in Essex, where groups of men attacked police and vandalised police cars after violence broke out following a protest outside a hotel in Epping housing asylum seekers, The Guardian reports.

Anti-racism activists and trade unionists outnumbered those taking part in a recent protest outside the hotel, but Epping is among the towns where the far right is holding another protest on Friday.

Far-right Homeland party activists are among those actively campaigning in Epping, while rival group Patriotic Alternative is seeking to exploit protests in the north.

There were also clashes outside a hotel in Islington, north London, where far-right activists and anti-racism protesters clashed.

Another protest is also expected in the city outside a hotel in Canary Wharf against the proposed use of the hotel to house asylum seekers. Women and children took part in what was dubbed the “pink protest” online, but far-right activists and influencers also took part in events outside the hotel and online.

In Warwickshire, Chief Constable Alex Franklin-Smith has responded to claims by Reform UK's George Finch that he had covered up the alleged rape of a 12-year-old girl, saying police "have not and will not cover up such a crime". However, the case is a source of tension, The Guardian reports.

Norfolk Police will bring in powers on Friday night at a protest in Bowthorpe, Norwich, including requiring members of the public to remove face coverings if asked to do so by officers. A further order will be issued allowing police to order anyone who is committing or is likely to commit anti-social behaviour to leave the area between 2pm on Friday and 2am on Saturday.