Arrests for assaulting police and drug possession at protest

Arrests for assaulting a police officer, racially or religiously aggravated harassment and drug possession were made at an anti-immigration protest and counter protest in Brighton, police have said.

An estimated 300 people took part in a Stop The Boats protest on Saturday, while a counter protest organised by Carnival Against Fascism saw an estimated 4,000 attendees, according to Sussex Police.

The anti-immigration march was organised by South East Patriots and called for the government to strengthen border controls and deport illegal immigrants, while Brighton & Hove City leader Bella Sankey said that "far right agitators" were "stirring up division".

Police have provided a breakdown of the eight people who were arrested.

They were:

• A 44-year-old man from Worcestershire arrested on suspicion of common assault. He has been conditionally bailed until 14 July.
• A 61-year-old woman from Hove arrested on suspicion of racially / religiously aggravated intentional harassment / alarm / distress. She has been conditionally bailed until 31 July.
• A 22-year-old from Brighton was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a constable in the execution of their duty. He has been bailed until 13 August.
• A 58-year-old man from Ditchling arrested on suspicion of using threatening / abusive words / behaviour, likely to harassment, alarm and distress, and with possessing a Class B drug. He has been conditionally bailed until 13 July.
• A 23-year-old woman from Brighton arrested on suspicion of possessing a pyrotechnic article and to prevent a breach of the peace. This has been referred for an out of court disposal.
• A 34-year-old woman from Brighton arrested on suspicion of common assault of an emergency worker. She has since been conditionally bailed until 8 July.
• A 53-year-old man from Portslade arrested on suspicion of common assault. Following inquiries, he was released without charge.
• A 41-year-old man from Hove arrested to prevent a breach of the peace. He was released a short time later without charge.

Riot police were deployed after items were thrown at officers, the force said.

A Home Office spokesperson said that it was "bearing down" on illegal small boat crossings and people smuggling.

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