THERE were no incidents of violent disorder relating to national protests across the whole of Cheshire last night, including Warrington, following speculation and misinformation on social media.
A number of businesses closed and local youths gathered on Orford Lane after social media became awash with widespread rumours and “reports” of a protest planned in Warrington.
However, with an increased police presence to provide reassurance, no protests materialised other than a minor incident involving local youths on Orford Lane.
Police are now thanking residents for their continued support following another peaceful night across the county.
Chief Superintendent Jon Betts said: “We understand the uncertainty and worry that people are feeling due to the recent disorder seen elsewhere in the country. This has been largely fuelled by the widespread sharing of misinformation online, much of which has been created for the purpose of causing fear and inciting intolerable hate.
“It has been humbling over recent days as we have seen our communities of all faiths pull together and support each other, and I want to thank residents for their continued support.
“We remain fully prepared to deal with any disorder should it occur, and our advice to residents and businesses is to remain calm and to try to go about your every-day life.
“I would also urge residents not to share any of the malicious or inaccurate information which has been posted on social media platforms. These messages have only been posted in order to cause fear, hate and disorder in our communities.”
While there have been no reports of any violent disorder in Cheshire, the force has made a number of arrests for hate crime and inciting hatred.
Chief Superintendent Betts added: “Since the start of the disorder in other areas of the UK we have been clear that we will not tolerate this kind of behaviour in Cheshire.
“We have also been clear that those who attempt to incite violence and hate in our communities will also be held account.
“Since the start of the week we have already arrested and charged a number of people for a variety of offences linked to the recent unrest.
“These have included people posting hateful messages online, people attempting to incite violence and people who have been verbally abusive to minority groups in our communities.
“As we move forward, we will continue to take this approach, with extensive resources in place to ensure that robust action can be taken against anyone who breaks the law.”
Meanwhile, Cheshire Police put in a dispersal order yesterday following speculation about possible planned protests across the country, including in Crewe, Widnes and Warrington.
From 4pm yesterday, Wednesday 7 August, dispersal orders have been put in place in the three towns. The orders will allow officers to ban anyone from the areas for up to 48 hours to prevent disorder.
They have been imposed under Section 34 of the Antisocial Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.
In addition, officers in the three towns have also been given additional stop and search powers under Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act (1994).
The orders mean that officers can stop and search any person or vehicle they believe may be carrying weapons or causing serious violence in a particular area, whether or not they have any grounds of suspicion.
The area covered by the dispersal order
Across the country, thousands of peaceful anti-racism demonstrators appeared to quash fears of further violent disorder on Wednesday night, despite the threat of more than 100 planned protests.
In many towns and cities shops were boarded up over fears of further rioting after a week of violent disorder which started in Southport, Merseyside, on July 30, but in most places, planned anti-immigration protests failed to materialise.
More of those arrested in the unrest of the past week will appear on court on Thursday, including some likely to be jailed on live television.
Three men were jailed on Wednesday for up to three years after admitting violent disorder following riots in Liverpool city centre.
On Wednesday evening, large numbers of counter-protesters gathered in areas including Walthamstow, east London, Bristol, Brighton, Liverpool and Sheffield.
According to Stand Up to Racism, an estimated 25,000 people took to the streets to take a stand – they said – against racism and violence.
This included around 8,000 in Walthamstow, 7,000 in Bristol and 2,000 in Liverpool. Similar numbers were seen in Brighton and Newcastle, the group said.
In Walthamstow the crowd were chanting “Whose streets? Our streets” and “Say it loud, say it clear, refugees are welcome here”.
Police issue dispersal order amid speculation of planned protests
