Six arrests made following UKIP procession and counter protest in Liverpool

We can confirm six people were arrested today as a result of the planned procession by UKIP and a counter-protest in Liverpool city centre today, Saturday 21 March.

People from different groups gathered outside the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral from around 10am this morning.

Merseyside Police had received notification that a procession by UKIP was to take place, and a large police presence was in place to ensure the safety of all those taking part and the wider public.

The procession commenced at the Metropolitan Cathedral before moving down Mount Pleasant and then finalising at Lime Street station.

At 8am, we introduced a Section 60 Order which runs until 9pm and gives officers additional powers to search people suspected of involvement in criminality and disorder. It also includes a Section 60AA authorisation, meaning failure to remove a face covering when asked by an officer could result in arrest. Any face covering can also be seized by a police officer.

Contrary to some social media speculation, a Section 35 Dispersal Zone was not introduced.

The safety of the public is paramount, we respect the rights of everyone to take part in a lawful and peaceful protests, but we will never tolerate acts of criminality or anti-social behaviour.

Of the six individuals arrested, three were taken into custody:

• A 45-year-old man from Ormskirk was arrested on suspicion of breach of the peace
• A 26-year-old man from Netherton was arrested for breach of bail conditions
• A 24-year-old man from Bangor was arrested on suspicion of being a public assembly participant failing to comply with a condition (breach of a Section 60AA order)

Chief Superintendent Zoe Thornton said: “There was a large policing presence in Liverpool city centre today to ensure the safety of all those taking part as well as the wider public.

“We will never tolerate acts of criminality or anti-social behaviour and while the vast majority of people who attended did so lawfully and peacefully, six people were arrested with three people being taken into custody.

“A decision was made to introduce a Section 60 order and apply conditions, and conditions were also put on under the Public Order Act 1986 . These decisions were not taken lightly, the purpose to reduce the potential risk of violence, and to prevent the intimidation of others.

"As a police force, we must uphold everyone’s rights to protest peacefully, while also aiming to keep the peace and ensure the public are safe. We make detailed and co-ordinated plans ahead of such events to ensure we can apply this consistently, fairly and proportionately.

“We would like to thank members of the public for their patience throughout the day.”

ENDS