First arrest over anti-migrant protest in Portsmouth
Police in Portsmouth have made the first arrest following a violent anti-migrant protest that disrupted the city. Authorities are investigating the incident, which involved damage to emergency vehicles and injuries to officers, and have warned that further arrests are expected.
Why it matters
The incident highlights rising social tensions regarding migration policy and the challenges police face in managing public order during protests.
Image caption, Police officers were deployed to Portsmouth on Sunday evening
A man has been arrested on suspicion of violent disorder and assaulting a police officer following an anti-migrant protest in Portsmouth.
Police attended Eastney Marina on Sunday night after hundreds of demonstrators blocked roads in an attempt to stop coaches carrying 120 migrants, who had crossed the Channel in a dinghy, from leaving the city.
A 42-year-old man from Paulsgrove was arrested early Friday morning after officers reviewed video from the protest. He remains in custody.
Assistant Chief Constable Tony Rowlinson called it the "first of several" arrests expected to be made as part of the investigation.
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