Residents and visitors have been warned to expect a large police presence in Yeovil town centre on Saturday 10 October, when a planned protest and march are due to take place.
The event is expected to start at around midday. Avon and Somerset Police said officers will be in the town to enable peaceful protest, protect people attending and safeguard the wider public.
Dispersal zone in place from 9am
A dispersal zone will operate from 9am until 6pm as part of the police operation. It will cover the area shown on a map published by the force.
The power is being used under sections 34 and 35 of the Antisocial Behaviour and Policing Act 2014. Police said dispersal zones can be used for a range of reasons, including preventing disorder during protests.
Officers can use the powers to direct people to leave an area when they cause, or are likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress to others. The force has warned that criminality will not be tolerated.
Police ask people to raise concerns
Neighbourhood officers will remain in the town centre throughout the day and will be available to speak to anyone with concerns.
“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.”
Neighbourhood Chief Inspector Joe Piscina said officers would follow plans designed to keep everyone safe while minimising disruption to the wider community. He added that action would be taken wherever criminality was identified.
“Neighbour officers will be in the town centre throughout the day and will be happy to speak to anyone who has any concerns.”
The force said the policing plans were in place ahead of the protest and march. The arrangements are intended to support peaceful protest while allowing officers to respond if public safety or criminality becomes an issue.