Violence has erupted as rival demonstrations between anti-immigration activists and counter-protesters descended into disorder, as horrified families are caught in the middle.
The confrontation saw the anti-immigration group South East Patriots march through Brighton city centre, while a large counter-protest dubbed the ‘Carnival Against Fascism’ gathered in opposition.Â
Tensions escalated rapidly outside Brighton train station as the opposing groups came face-to-face, with police confirming arrests had already been made.
Eyewitnesses estimated around 4,000 anti-fascists faced off against 300 anti-immigration protesters, with officers warning of a major public order situation unfolding across the area.
With DJ Fatboy Slim, also known as Norman Cooke, spotted in the crowd joining the anti-fascist protesters holding his own sign in the air.
A heavy police presence was deployed across the city, with more than a hundred officers supported by mounted units, intelligence officers and special constables.Â
At several points, officers formed cordons and pushed back crowds as violence flared, with police vans later brought in to reinforce barriers between the rival groups.
Agitators were reported to have infiltrated opposing crowds, triggering repeated skirmishes and a charge by mounted police.Â
At one stage, both groups were contained in police ‘kettles’ outside Brighton train station and near the Grand Central pub, where officers worked to prevent further escalation.
Tensions escalated rapidly outside Brighton train station as the opposing groups came face-to-face, with police confirming arrests had already been made
The confrontation saw the anti-immigration group South East Patriots march through Brighton city centre, while a large counter-protest dubbed the ‘Carnival Against Fascism’ gathered in opposition
One protester was spotted wearing a t-shirt with St George on the back of itÂ
A heavy police presence was deployed across the city, with more than a hundred officers supported by mounted units, intelligence officers and special constables
Around the city mobile sound systems were brought in an attempt to turn the anti-fascist protest into one of a carnival.
People cheered and danced in the sun as police kettled the anti-immigration group close to the station.
That group had been planning on marching through the city with Union Jacks and St George’s flags aloft but it was unclear whether that would be permitted by police given the likelihood of flashpoints.
Parents with young children were among those caught up in the disorder, with officers intervening to help families escape the worst of the violence as the Carnival Against Fascism turned increasingly volatile.
One Brighton resident, Jane Dean, 53, said: ‘There are a lot of agitators trying to provoke violence which is not how I thought this would pan out.’It’s seriously dangerous and a couple of people have been injured’.
Another said: ‘This is a major public order issue. There are a large number of people here intent on causing trouble. There are literally hundreds of police officers on the streets.’
Police stepped in to help parents with young children caught up in the violence as the Carnival Against Fascism turned nasty.
One father said: ‘We’ve been caught in the middle of it and it’s not the atmosphere we were led to expect. We’re leaving for the safety of the children.’
At one flashpoint, around 30 officers formed a line to push back anti-fascist protesters, while mounted police reinforced the cordon as tensions threatened to boil over.
Brighton and Hove City Council said in advance of the protest: ‘A far-right rally is expected to take place in the city on Saturday, June 13.
‘We’re encouraging everyone to keep an eye on information from Sussex Police and report any suspicious activity, concerns or instances of hate crime online or by calling 101.
‘In an emergency, call 999. If you want to report hate crime anonymously, call Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.’
Sussex Police insisted there were only small pockets of trouble at the start of rival protests with three people being arrested.
By lunchtime officers had successfully prevented further outbreaks of violence and scuffles.
More officers were drafted in to ensure peace was maintained with a cordon separating the two groups being bolstered with more officers.
