11 arrests made following UKIP protest and counter-protest in Liverpool city centre

Merseyside Police says 11 arrests have been made following a protest by UKIP and a counter-protest in Liverpool city centre yesterday.

Police say individuals were arrested for various offences including being drunk and disorderly, assault and affray.

People from different groups gathered outside St George’s Hall from around 11am and there was a large police presence to ensure the safety of all those taking part and the wider public.

A march by UKIP began at around 1.20pm, but shortly afterwards the procession was directed back to St George’s Hall after police used legislation known as Section 12 under the Public Order Act (1986).

The decision to invoke this legislation was made due to the serious disruption which was being caused to the community at the time, including the road network. The safety of the public was paramount, and police wanted to ensure minimum disruption for local communities and businesses in the city centre.

Merseyside Police, Superintendent Karl Baldwin said: “There was a large policing presence in Liverpool city centre today to ensure the safety of those taking part in the protest and counter-protest as well as the wider public.

“We will never tolerate acts of criminality or anti-social behaviour and despite the vast majority of people protesting lawfully, and peacefully, sadly there were a number of people who were arrested for various offences, including public order offences and assault.

“A decision was made shortly after the march got underway to apply conditions under Section 12 of the Public Order Act, which redirected the march back to St George’s Hall. This decision wasn’t taken lightly and was made because there was evidence of serious disruption to the community, which is one of the limited reasons such conditions can be applied.

"The police are often faced with the challenge of treading the fine line between upholding everyone’s rights to protest equitably, whilst endeavouring to keep the peace and ensure the public are safe. We plan ahead, in a co-ordinated way, to ensure we do this consistently, fairly and proportionately.

“We would like to thank members of the public and businesses in the city centre for their patience during the course of this event.”

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