Police officers were injured during “sustained violence” in Plymouth as disorder continued for a seventh day after the Southport stabbings with more than 370 arrests made so far.
Devon and Cornwall Police said six arrests were made in Plymouth on Monday after “several officers” suffered minor injuries and two members of the public were taken to hospital.
It came after bricks and fireworks were launched towards officers who had attempted to keep rival demonstrations apart in the Devon port city.
A police van was damaged as masked anti-immigration protesters launched missiles at a counter-demonstration where people held signs saying ‘No Place for Hate’ and ‘Say No to Nazis’.
A Devon and Cornwall Police officer said “large masonry” had been thrown at officers during the unrest.
APPEAL | We are asking anybody with any footage or images from last night’s disorder in Plymouth which may help investigating officers, to get in touch by calling 101 or via our website quoting log 378 of 5 August.
— Devon & Cornwall Police (@DC_Police) August 6, 2024
Further updates to follow.https://t.co/ppqvKc4ofH pic.twitter.com/iqmchrlBN2
Speaking at the scene, Inspector Ryan North Moore told Sky News: “This is not a protest any more. In my opinion, this is violence. This is sustained violence.”
Some 150 officers were deployed and the arrests were for a range of public order offences and assaults, police said.
The widespread disorder across the UK follows the fatal stabbings of three girls at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club in Southport.
There have been at least 378 arrests since the violence broke out last week.
More suspected rioters have appeared in court on Tuesday following mass disorder across the UK.
A number of people charged with violent disorder have already pleaded guilty to their part in the widespread violence.
Meanwhile, Sky News reported on Monday that one of its vans was attacked in Birmingham by a “knife-wielding man”.
The news outlet reported its journalists had observed “a large gathering of Muslim men who said they were preparing to ‘defend’ the street from another rumoured far-right protest in the area.
West Midlands Police (WMP) said it was investigating reports of a man who was in possession of an offensive weapon, as well as other incidents and pledged to “work hard to identify and arrest those responsible”.
“No arrests have been made at this stage, but there were sporadic incidents and we are investigating reports of an assault, incidents of criminal damage to a pub on Stoney Lane, a car which had its windows smashed on Alcombe Grove, Stechford and further criminal damage to a vehicle which had its tyres damaged on Belchers Lane, Bordesley Green,” WMP said.
