Police make 15 arrests at Glasgow protests

Police made 15 arrests in Glasgow on Saturday following disorder at protests in the city.

The force warned it expected to make further arrests.

Anti-racism demonstrators gathered at 11:00 on Glasgow Green. A demonstration by anti-immigration protesters began there an hour later.

Police separated the two groups, each made up of hundreds of protesters.

Video from the scene shows scuffles and police drawing their batons to contain protestors.

Police Scotland said the arrests included a large group of people who left Glasgow Green and engaged in further disorder in the city centre.

A statement released on Saturday evening said a number of containments were put in place, including on Oswald Street.

The arrests related to offenses including assault, possession of offensive weapons, breach of the peace, obstruction and resisting arrest.

Ch Supt Emma Croft said: "We have seen significant disorder from disparate groups in Glasgow today at what should have been peaceful, lawful protests.

"Incidents of this nature can understandably cause a great deal of concern, and our officers took quick and decisive action to protect the public and bring the situation to conclusion.

"I want to be clear that the behaviour from many of these groups is not legitimate protest, it amounts to violence, intimidation and fear and will not be tolerated."

She said officers had recovered weapons that indicated there an intention for pre-meditated disorder, violence, and intimidation.

Croft continued: "This is completely unacceptable behaviour and those involved should be in no doubt that they will be identified and held to account for their actions.

"At a time when Glasgow should be shown at its best, it is extremely disappointing to once again be dealing with violence and disorder that attempts to create unease in our communities."

"The protests and associated incidents have now concluded. We will continue to have a visible policing presence in the city centre and surrounding areas."

It is the latest in a series of protests about migration levels around the country.

In recent weeks, tensions have flared - with police pinning much of the blame on misinformation online.

The Scottish government's Justice Secretary Neil Gray said there had been a "significant deployment" of police in order to contain the protest.

He said that while there had been disorder, it had been contained by officers.

He urged protesters not to resort to the "violence and thuggery that we have seen in similar protests in recent weeks".

Gray continued: "I expect anybody who is carrying out the racist thuggery that we have seen previously on the streets of Glasgow to be treated robustly by the police, and for any kind of intimidation and other tactics that seek to divide our country to be met with the full force of the law."

Secretary of State for Scotland, Douglas Alexander, said the scenes were "wholly unacceptable".

He continued: "For the second time in as many months, members of the public in the city centre have faced serious and concerning disorder by protestors who want to spread division and fear.

"Police Scotland should be commended for acting quickly to control the disruption and minimise any threats of aggression.

"As the eyes of the world fall on Glasgow with the Commonwealth Games and the city welcomes people from all over the globe, is disappointing that people are choosing to spread division."

On Glasgow Green, where the anti-racism group were gathered, there was music playing including Abba's dancing queen and some of the protestors made speeches.

They also waved placards with anti-racism messages. Others waved Palestine flags.

At one stage, the protesters tried to march but were turned back by police.

The anti-immigration protesters there also played music, sang and chanted. Some made speeches.

Many waved flags showing anti-immigration messages, while others had saltires or Lion Rampant flags. Some waved flares which released blue and white smoke.

Men wearing balaclavas were among the crowd.