Multiple police officers have been injured after masonry was thrown during violence in Plymouth on Monday night.
A Devon and Cornwall police officer said “sustained violence” had erupted following protests in Plymouth and that three officers had been injured during clashes in the city.
It came as violence has erupted in cities and towns across the UK, following a riot in Southport last Tuesday, which came a day after three young girls were fatally stabbed at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class.
Speaking from Plymouth on Monday evening, bronze commander Inspector Ryan North Moore told Sky News: “This is not a protest anymore. In my opinion, this is violence. This is sustained violence.
“Unfortunately, large masonry was thrown at us, whether it was aimed at us or others or opposing groups – we don’t know yet. The investigation will identify that. But, yes, three officers down.”
Asked how difficult it was to police the protest, Inspector Moore said: “It’s off the scale today. With the resources we’ve got, it’s difficult.”
Devon and Cornwall Police said on Monday night 150 officers had been deployed in Plymouth city centre and “work is ongoing to de-escalate the situation” after officers were injured in the clashes.
In a post on social media, the force said it had deployed 150 officers in Plymouth City Centre.
“Violence will not be tolerated, hate will not be tolerated,” it said. “Work is ongoing to de-escalate the situation.”
Police were attempting to push back demonstrators after protesters clashed with officers in riot gear.
Officers earlier detained a man on the floor, as protesters launched missiles and fireworks at a counter-demonstration where people held signs stating “No Place for Hate” and “Say No to Nazis”.
A police van was also damaged, while officers were met with “a level of violence”, Devon and Cornwall Police said.
Devon and Cornwall Police Superintendent Russ Dawe said arrests had been made “for a range of public order offences and assaults”.
He said: “We continue to police ongoing events in Plymouth with a highly visible police presence.
“Specialist officers were deployed to the Guildhall in the city centre at around 3.30pm today. During the evening, we’ve seen levels of violence across the city, and several officers have sustained injuries.
“I would like to reassure the community that we are fully resourced at this time with a strong police presence. Violence will not be tolerated, hate will not be tolerated, and we continue to work with our partners to keep the people of Plymouth safe.
“Our approach to this operation was to enable peaceful protests, but people who are intent on committing public order and criminal offences have, and will be, dealt with robustly. This is the style of policing that we have delivered this evening and what our communities of Plymouth expect.
“Sadly, a number of individuals see fit to cause disorder. This type of behaviour is unacceptable within our communities and our officers are fully trained to manage and de-escalate disorder as quickly as possible.
“The majority of people have behaved within the law, and I would like to thank them for this. We will continue to take positive action against individuals who commit offences and have carried out arrests for a range of public order offences and assaults.”
Armed Forces minister Luke Pollard condemned protesters who had “thrown projectiles at people”, saying they are “not what Plymouth is about”.
In a video posted to X, the MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport said: “There is absolutely no place for violence on our streets. There’s no place for hate on our streets.
“Plymouth is a brilliant place to live, work and play. The diversity of our city makes us stronger – doesn’t make us weaker.
“And we know that those people who have come to our city tonight, who have brought violence onto our streets, who have thrown projectiles at people, who have abused people because of their background or their skin colour or their faith, they have no place in our city.
“That’s not what Plymouth is about – that’s not who we are. Thank you to the police for keeping us safe, to services from the city council to local businesses who have all taken steps to reassure people, to keep people safe.”
Jim Colwell, Acting Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall Police, described the violence as “abhorrent, mindless criminal behaviour” as he praised Plymouth’s “very brave, robust policing”.
