Heated protests turned to violence outside an asylum seeker hotel as police clashed with anti-fascist protesters.
Two people were arrested and two others were issued with Section 35 dispersal antisocial behaviour notices as the around 170 people turned out this afternoon.
The demonstrations outside the Beresford Hotel in Newquay, Cornwall sparked ugly scenes but the force said the majority of people at the protest acted peacefully throughout.
The stand-off took place today after the Home Office moved a group of asylum seekers to the hotel in November.
CornwallLive report the two groups of protesters were chanting and shouting at each other before things escalated.
Devon and Cornwall Police had to block off the road outside the hotel and move two vans between the groups to keep them apart.
Counter protesters, supporting asylum seekers, and anti-fascists were seen and filmed pushing towards the anti-asylum seeker group.
Police officers had to physically push them back to keep them separated.
A local woman was also shoved and knocked to the ground by one of the anti-fascist group in black with his face covered before the culprit disappeared into the crowd.
The victim did not want to speak about it.
Violence then broke out at about 1pm as counter protesters were seen clashing with police in two or three spots in close proximity in front of the Beresford Hotel.
They were contained and separated physically.
It was all calmed but then the group marched towards the few anti-asylum seeker campaigners remaining, leading to more violent clashes between the police and protesters.
The two vans were brought back in to help contain the aggression.
Police said officers would continue engagement with the local community to provide reassurance to residents.
