Seven arrested as police block protest

SEVEN people were arrested as police blocked attempts to hold a large-scale protest in Rotherham town centre.

South Yorkshire Police said they had used “robust tactics” to prevent members of the South East Alliance (SEA) and other groups from protesting on Saturday.

A spokeswoman said: “Information posted on social media suggested the SEA would protest in the town today but the force received no formal notification and we had no engagement with the group.

“A significant policing operation was put in place and a decision was made to prevent people from entering the town we reasonably assumed were intent on causing disorder or violence.

“A significant number of people tried to travel into the county by car, coach and by rail.

“Twelve vehicles were prevented from entering Rotherham, nine from within South Yorkshire and three from outside the county.

“Officers utilised common law breach of the peace powers and dispersal notices under anti-social behaviour legislation to prevent people entering Rotherham or returning for a set period of time.”

A total of 52 people were issued with dispersal notices including a number of people arriving in Rotherham by train, who were “escorted” out of town.

Seven people — six men and one woman aged between 17 and 42 — were arrested for public order, breach of the peace and breach of bail offences.

The woman was later de-arrested and issued with a dispersal notice.

Gold Commander for the operation Deputy Chief Constable Andy Holt said: “From the start of today’s operation it was always our intention to use these robust tactics to prevent groups of people intent on disorder from entering the county.

“These tactics were used proportionately based on the information posted on social media and this group’s prior activity.

“A significant number of people travelled to South Yorkshire to protest who we felt we could reasonably judge would engage in violence, disorder or damage.

“The use of these tactics prevented any form of protest taking place in Rotherham.

“This meant there was no disruption or inconvenience for local businesses and community members, which was our ultimate aim.

“We hope today’s operation has sent out a clear message to right-wing groups intent on causing disorder that we will take a no-nonsense approach and will do everything within our power to prevent disruption to the lives of the public of South Yorkshire.”