Avon and Somerset Police have warned that criminality will not be tolerated during a demonstration planned for Yeovil town centre on Saturday, with a large police presence expected throughout the day.
The event, organised under the title Yeovil Calling: Stop Illegal Migration & Two-Tier Policing, is due to begin at noon. Police said officers will be deployed to support peaceful protest, protect people attending and safeguard the wider public.
Dispersal zone will cover much of the town centre
A dispersal zone will operate from 9am until 6pm as part of the policing operation. It has been issued under sections 34 and 35 of the Antisocial Behaviour and Policing Act 2014 and will cover a large area of Yeovil town centre.
Police explained that dispersal zones can be used to help prevent disorder during protests. The powers allow officers to move people on if they are causing, or are likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress to others.
“There will be large police presence in the town during the day with officers there to enable peaceful protest to take place and to ensure the safety of those in attendance and the wider public.”
A police spokesperson added that officers would be working to established plans during the event and would respond to criminal behaviour.
“Officers will not tolerate any criminality and will be following well-rehearsed plans.”
Police say neighbourhood officers will be available
Neighbourhood officers will remain in the town centre throughout the day. Chief Inspector Joe Piscina said police recognised that protests of this size were unusual for Yeovil, but added that Avon and Somerset Police had considerable experience of managing similar events safely.
“We know protests of this size are rare in Yeovil, but Avon and Somerset Police has significant experience in enabling events of this nature to take place safely.”
He said the operation had been designed to protect everyone while limiting the effect on the wider community. Officers would take action if criminality was identified, while neighbourhood officers would be available to speak to people with concerns.
“Officers will be following plans which are drawn up to ensure the safety of everyone, while minimising disruption to the wider community, but action will be taken wherever criminality is identified.”
The demonstration is being organised by a group calling itself the Somerset Patriots. The group was also behind several similar protests in Taunton in recent months, according to the report.
Organisers in Yeovil are promoting the attendance of Paul Golding, leader of the right-wing campaign group Britain First. The report also said that larger numbers of counter-protesters had been present at demonstrations in Taunton, based on observations and police estimates.
Police have urged anyone with concerns during the event to speak to neighbourhood officers in the town centre.