Arrest, clashes and celebratory chants at Brighton counter-protest

A huge crowd gathered in Queens Road yesterday at about 6pm and stayed there for hours amid fears of possible riots in the city.

Violent protests have been causing destruction across the country since the tragic Southport stabbings which killed three girls last week.

There were rumours that the violence was going to spread to Brighton and Hastings on Wednesday night.

But in Brighton, counter-protesters massively outnumbered anti-immigration protesters.

Tensions flared early as police officers kept rival protesters apart by the BBC building in Queens Road.

The scene in Queens Road last night (Image: The Argus) As the evening progressed the counter-protest turned into a party atmosphere as music blared out from speakers and drums rang out in the distance.

Pockets of right-wing protesters who turned up later hung onto the fringes of the counter-protest but were quickly chased off by large groups of counter-protesters and left the area.

Police officers gradually bundled the handful of right-wing protesters out of the area and into the back of a police van.

Buses caught in the crowd of counter-protesters in Queens Road in Brighton (Image: EDDIE MITCHELL)

By 10pm, counter-protesters were slowly dispersing.

At least one man was arrested by Sussex Police "to prevent the breach of the peace".

It is not known whether he was an anti-immigration protester or a counter-protester.

Read more: First pictures as counter-protesters take to the streets of Brighton

Earlier in the day, businesses and offices boarded up their windows in preparation for rumoured riots on Sussex’s streets.

Hundreds of counter-protesters were at the scene, with Sussex Police officers standing near the BBC offices (Image: Eddie Mitchell) Health centres, shops and pubs in Brighton and Hastings closed their doors early over the fears of unrest.

Elsewhere in Brighton, gigs at venues such as the Prince Albert and The Gladstone Pub were cancelled.

Read more: Brighton and Hastings health centres to close early over riot fears

A business owner told The Argus he decided to shut for the day because his staff "did not feel safe".

He has also boarded up his business as a precaution.

Counter-protesters chanting in Brighton city centre (Image: The Argus) Buses were also diverted from Brighton city centre.

Sussex Police warned that they would be deploying additional officers to the scene while a councillor described the potential riots as a “stain on our national moral conscience”.

Read more: DIY-loving bouncer boards up Brighton businesses amid riot fears

Cllr Ivan Lyons said: "Over the last few days we have watched in horror as a small minority have brought hatred, violence and vandalism to towns and cities across the country.

"We have seen anti-Muslim hatred and the targeting of mosques; asylum seekers and refugees attacked; violence directed towards the police and private property, all of which are a stain on our national moral conscience.

Sussex Police officers monitoring the counter-protest in Queens Road (Image: The Argus) "Every British citizen has a right to be respected and a responsibility to respect others, so that together we can build a cohesive and harmonious society for all.”

Sussex Police previously told would-be rioters that they would be made to “regret their actions” should they take part in any violent disorder.

Assistant Chief Constable Paul Court said that racist, criminal behaviour will not be tolerated as officers prepare for potential unrest on the streets in the coming days.

Sussex Police officers (Image: The Argus) ACC Court said: “We recognise that recent events across the country have left our communities feeling unsafe, particularly people of colour and our Muslim communities.

“Please be reassured that racist, criminal behaviour will not be tolerated and we are working hard to keep you safe and ensure anyone involved in criminal disorder is held to account.

Counter-protesters were still in Queens Road at 9.40pm (Image: Eddie Mitchell) “To those thinking about taking part in disorder, be in no doubt that we will make you regret your actions. We will use all powers at our disposal to make sure you are held to account for your actions.”

The unrest comes after two mosques, in Peacehaven and St Leonards, were targeted by potential hate crimes this weekend.

One mosque had eggs thrown at it while the other received a threat that it would be attacked.