Plymouth picks up the pieces after 'thuggery on tour' clashes

Seven arrests made as groups clash in city centre

Senior Plymouth councillors will meet with leaders of the city’s Muslim community today in the wake of city centre protests which escalated into violence.

Several people were injured and a police van was damaged as violence broke out around Royal Parade. Protesters chanted slogans, and there were skirmishes between protesters and police.

Several officers suffered minor injuries and seven people were arrested for criminal criminal offences and public order offences.

The city council had advised residents to avoid the city centre as Plymouth became the latest city to witness demonstrations.

Deputy leader Jemima Laing said: “Thuggery on tour is not acceptable.

“These people do not represent Plymouth. They are a small minority of thugs who are not welcome in our city.”

Police sent specialist officers to the Guildhall area yesterday afternoon. Several police officers were injured, and two members of the public were also taken to hospital.

Police said their approach was to enable peaceful protests, but to deal ‘robustly’ with people intent on committing public order or criminal offences.

“This is the style of policing that we have delivered and what our communities expect,” said a spokesman.

“Violence will not be tolerated, hate will not be tolerated, and we will continue to work with our partners to keep the people of Devon, Cornwall, and the Isles of Scilly safe and reduce anti-social behaviour.”

Cllr Laing (Lab, Stoke) thanked police for their ‘incredible’ work. “While most protestors were peaceful, we are appalled by a small number of individuals who engaged in aggressive, violent and abusive behaviour,” she said.

“I remain incredibly angry on behalf of Plymouth that so many people from outside our city felt emboldened to come here and cause disruption and unrest. Thuggery on tour is not acceptable.”

Council staff were on the streets early today assessing the damage and starting the clean-up.

Cllr Laing went on: “We must not allow ourselves to be divided by racists who are capitalising on an awful tragedy with lies and misinformation.

“Plymouth is a united city - one that embraces and celebrates diversity and all communities. Our strength is that we come together, time after time. We support each other, we show compassion, understanding and solidarity and despite the disorder we have seen, I am seeing that spirit shine through already.

“We are incredibly aware that some of our communities, especially minority communities, are anxious about discrimination, abuse, anti-Muslim sentiment and racism and this should be something that worries us all.

“Everyone has the right to feel safe and we will continue to work with the police and community leaders to make sure that Plymouth remains a welcoming and safe city.

"My cabinet colleagues will be seeking to meet with representatives from our Muslim community to offer our continued support and help."

Plymouth businessman Jabo Butera who co-founded Diversity Business Incubator in Plymouth in 2018 was in the city centre to oppose the spread of hatred. He said: "People should think about what it is they want for tomorrow. If you start planting hate today, in the next 10 years it's going to be double and it is going to affect everyone. But if you want a bright future, you have to be planting love."