Emergency meeting held as Northampton named as location for anti immigration protest

Northants Police has tonight asked anyone with information to contact them, but has said it is absolutely ready to deal with any violence

By Sarah Ward

Photo by Oli Woodman on Unsplash

Community leaders and the police have held emergency talks as it emerged that the town is among a list picked out for anti immigration protests.

The leader of West Northamptonshire Council Adam Brown and council officers, the police, community safety experts and faith leaders held a hastily convened online meeting last night in response to the post on social media platform Telegram, which named a legal venue in the town as a place for a planned anti immigration protest tomorrow night. It is among more than 30 that have been suggested by far right groups.

Riots have been happening across the country since last week after the murders of three young girls killed at a dance class in Southport by a teenager who has since been charged. So far more than 350 people have been arrested across the country, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer denouncing the ‘far right thuggery’. Social media and misinformation has been fuelling the riots.

Today Northamptonshire’s deputy chief constable Ash Tuckley said the force was ‘absolutely ready’ to address any violent disturbances if they happen.

Chair of the diverse communities forum on West Northamptonshire Council, Cllr James Hill attended the meeting and said there is much concern among the Asian and Muslim communities in the town following riots across the country. 

He said:

“I am concerned to hear about the anti immigration protest planned for Northampton. I would urge all residents to remain calm and not react to social media reports. I know Northants Police, West Northamptonshire Council and partners are working hard to protect residents and local businesses.”

The riots, which are the most widespread across the country for decades, are causing tensions across the country and just how to handle them is a bone of contention, with some arguing that even sharing information about the planned protests is the wrong move.

Ahead of yesterday’s Zoom meeting chief executive of the council Anna Earnshaw wrote a message in an email chain.

She wrote:

“I appreciate that given the weekend events that concerns and feelings are running high. But I would urge caution  . .  that this kind of email and call for action circulated to so many and then almost certainly disseminated further by recipients could be really unhelpful.

“This is exactly the kind of process and reaction that agitators want and in itself creates a momentum for people to think they need to act and join events  . . .  and in doing so this becomes a self fulfilling prophecy. We must show restraint and be guided by the police and professionals.”

She said community safety partners were developing a plan.

Marly Lyman will be among those who are planning to stage a solidarity rally. He said he had been down to the area today to speak with residents and businesses who are worried.

He said:

“We are not going to accept that sort of hatred in Northampton. The only way to counter that is be there in a beautiful display of love. We are committed to non violence.”

NN Journal has chosen not to name the place anti immigration protestors had named as a possible protest site.

Deputy chief constable Tuckley said in an online statement this evening:

“Thankfully, Northamptonshire has so far not yet witnessed any violent disorder but let me assure you we are absolutely ready to address it if it does.

“We are continuing to plan for and manage any potential risks, and resourcing plans are in place to ensure officers are ready to respond should any protests or disorder occur in our county.

“I would like to thank our communities for their support and for engaging positively with our officers as they both continue to ensure a normal policing service for those who need it, while providing support and reassurance in communities where there are understandable concerns and feelings of insecurity.

“Our neighbourhood policing teams will continue to work closely with their local communities and I encourage you to speak with them if you have any questions or concerns. Please also come forward if you have any information that you believe may be relevant or useful to us in our work to protect our communities and keep people safe during this difficult and uncertain period.

“We know many of those attending the so-called protests across the country, and getting involved in violence and disorder, are responding directly to what they see online. We’re working hard to counteract this but we can only do so much and need your help.

“Please be careful about information you share and help us and our communities by only sharing information supplied by the police or partner organisations, or information you know to be true.

“I would also ask you not to respond to any speculation. If you are concerned or have information that may assist us, please do link in with your neighbourhood policing contacts or report information to us online or via 999 in an emergency."

"We are working hard to keep our county safe and our intelligence teams are working around the clock to identify anyone who may be involved in planning or inciting violent disorder in our county.

“Policing is not anti-protest, we are anti-crime and we are here to protect the public and keep the peace no matter people’s beliefs.

“Those who cause or incite violence will be brought to justice. Violent disorder is a serious offence which often comes with a lengthy jail term so be assured we will take any such offences seriously and will work with our criminal justice partners to do this should the need arise.

“We are supporting our colleagues across the country where required, who are doing a fantastic job in the face of such sustained violence and disorder. Locally, we are prepared but business as usual policing remains ongoing and as always, the top priority is public safety.”

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A 41 year old woman was arrested today on suspicion of inciting racial hatred, in a post linked to the deaths of the Southport girls. The woman, who has not been named by police, called for mass deportation and setting fire to hotels and said ‘ if that makes me racist’ so be it. 

The account is still live and she has made an online apology.* (an earlier version of this article incorrectly said the woman had deleted her X account).

A Northamptonshire Police spokesperson said:

“Northamptonshire Police has received reports of a hate crime regarding a post published on social media. In response, a 41-year-old woman from Northampton has been arrested on suspicion of inciting racial hatred and remains in police custody.”