Police have released images of six men they want to speak to after the violent anti-immigration protest in Portsmouth last weekend.
Overnight last Sunday, around 200 people gathered at Eastney Marina after a dinghy crossed the English Channel before dispersing early on Monday.
Seven police officers were injured and treated at the scene, while Coastguard and Border Force vehicles were damaged, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said.
The force has reviewed ‘hundreds of hours’ worth’ of footage and has shared images of six men ‘who can assist our investigation’, the force said.
The first man charged over last week’s demonstration in the city appeared in court on Saturday morning.
Del Leon Somerville, 42, of Paulsgrove, appeared before Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court charged with violent disorder and assaulting a police constable in the execution of their duty.
On Saturday afternoon, anti-immigration protesters took to the streets of Portsmouth again, facing off with anti-racism demonstrators.
A 16-year-old boy, from Waterlooville, was arrested on suspicion of violent disorder in relation to scenes last week and has been released on bail until December 12.
Police have released images of six men they want to speak to after the anti-immigration protest in Portsmouth last weekend. Pictured is one of the men
Around 200 people gathered at Eastney Marina after a dinghy crossed the English Channel
The force has reviewed ‘hundreds of hours’ worth’ of footage and has shared images of six men ‘who can assist our investigation’, the force said
Assistant Chief Constable Tony Rowlinson said: ‘We have been consistently clear that violence and criminal damage have no part in peaceful protest and we will investigate incidents like this thoroughly and take robust action against those responsible.
‘Clearly events on Sunday evening were not peaceful protest, rather violent public disorder, and this will not be tolerated as we work to keep our wider communities in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight safe.’
He urged anyone who recognises the men to call 101 or make a report online quoting reference 44260435943.
‘The reality of public order policing is that arrests at the time are not always possible, especially where evidence may need to be reviewed to clearly identify who is responsible for offences,’ Mr Rowlinson said.
‘During the disorder seven police officers were injured and treated at the scene, thankfully no-one was seriously injured.
‘Our officers did not deserve to be assaulted as they worked incredibly diligently on Sunday to ensure the safety of everyone in the area.
‘Neither do they, or anyone from our partner agencies, deserve to be singled out online or subjected to abuse via social media.
‘We will work with our colleagues across policing to address any online threats that are made.
Hundreds of protestors clashed with police near Eastney beach in Portsmouth last weekend after a dinghy carrying 140 asylum seekers was escorted to the shore
Police have urged anyone who recognises the men to call 101 or make a report online quoting reference 44260435943
Dozens of anti-migrant protesters waded into the sea to confront 140 asylum seekers rescued from a packed mega-dinghy
The demonstrators were dispersed by riot police at 3am and footage posted online showed migrants being taken off lifeboats to shore
‘The actions we have been taking as part of our investigation send a clear warning to anyone intent on causing disruption and disorder at any future events.
‘If you break the law we will take action against you and where it is feasible to do so seek a prosecution.’
Dozens of anti-migrant protesters waded into the sea to confront 140 asylum seekers rescued from a packed mega-dinghy.
A large group ran across the beach in Portsmouth and into the water, chanting ‘stop the boats’ and ‘enough is enough’ as a Coastguard vessel prepared to bring them ashore.
The demonstrators were dispersed by riot police at 3am and footage posted online showed migrants being taken off lifeboats to shore, where they were met by several buses which took them to a processing centre in Kent.
The incident was the flashpoint which triggered around 500 demonstrators to block the road to try to stop the coaches leaving Portsmouth.
Some got into cars and followed the buses on their journey to the Manston facility in Kent.
It is the second major anti-migrant protest after hundreds of men wearing balaclavas blockaded the Port of Dover last Saturday.
The mega-dinghy had set off from the Baie de Seine in Normandy – a 180-mile drive south-west of Calais – suggesting people smugglers are expanding their launch points along the French coast to evade enforcement efforts.
But rather than intervene, the French coastguard shadowed the vessel for ten hours, claiming it was too dangerous because of the number of people on board.
British lifeboats, supported by a helicopter and a plane, then took over and brought the migrants to the UK.
Following calls to action on social media, protesters flocked to the coast and spent at least five hours on Eastney beach and in the water before police threatened arrests after a dispersal order was imposed.
Around 2,000 protesters descended on Portsmouth again on Saturday, September 12 following the arrival of a small boat of migrants in the city last weekend.
Police had banned face coverings for the event after masked men blocked roads in Dover, also in protest against immigration.
Three arrests were made, including one protester, 76-year-old Timothy Miller from Southampton who was caught covering his face in violation of the order and is due to appear at Portsmouth Magistrates Court on Monday.
Yesterday, a spokesman for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said: ‘Three arrests were made at today’s protests.
‘A 76-year-old man from Southampton has been arrested on suspicion of wearing/using an item to conceal identity at a protest.
‘A 33-year-old man from Portsmouth was arrested on suspicion of obstructing a highway and criminal damage.
‘A 16-year-old male from (Waterlooville) was arrested on suspicion of violent disorder, in relation to violent public disorder at Eastney Marina on Sunday September 6.’
Today, a spokesman further clarified: ‘Timothy Justin Miller, 76, of Sherwood Avenue in Hedge End, Southampton, has been charged with wearing/using an item to conceal identity at a protest. He is due to appear at Portsmouth Magistrates Court on Monday September 14.
‘David Kenny McNally, 33, of Winchester Road in Portsmouth, has been charged with wilful obstruction of a highway and attempted criminal damage. He is due to appear at Portsmouth Magistrates Court on Thursday October 29.
‘A 16-year-old male from Waterlooville was arrested on suspicion of violent disorder, in relation to violent public disorder at Eastney Marina on Sunday 6 September. He has since been released on bail until Saturday December 12.’
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