Six men sought by police after violent anti-migrant disorder in Portsmouth

Hampshire Police released images of six men after violent disorder at Eastney Marina left seven officers injured. One man has appeared in court charged with violent disorder.

Six men sought after Portsmouth anti-migrant violence injures seven officers

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary has released images of six men it wishes to question following violent disorder in Portsmouth last week, Sky News reports. Seven police officers were injured during the unrest at Eastney Marina.

Around 200 activists gathered at the marina on Sunday evening after a small boat carrying asylum seekers crossed the Channel and arrived on the south coast. The group dispersed in the early hours of the following morning.

During the disorder, seven officers sustained injuries and were treated at the scene. Vehicles belonging to the Coastguard and Border Force were also damaged. The force said it had reviewed "hundreds of hours' worth" of footage before identifying the six men, who it believes "can assist our investigation."

The first person charged in connection with the demonstration appeared in court on Saturday morning. Del Leon Somerville, 42, from Paulsgrove, Portsmouth, faced Portsmouth Magistrates Court on charges of violent disorder and assaulting a police constable. A 16-year-old boy from Waterlooville was separately arrested on suspicion of violent disorder and released on bail until 12 December.

Assistant Chief Constable Tony Rowlinson said the events at Eastney Marina had gone well beyond the boundaries of lawful protest. "Violence and criminal damage have no part in peaceful protest," he said. "Clearly events on Sunday evening were not peaceful protest, rather violent public disorder."

Rowlinson acknowledged that making arrests in real time during public order incidents is not always possible. "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," he said. He confirmed none of the seven injured officers had been seriously hurt, but added they "did not deserve to be assaulted" while on duty.

Anti-immigration activists returned to Portsmouth streets on Saturday afternoon, where they were met by counter-protests from anti-racism groups.

Police said they are also investigating online threats and abuse directed at officers and staff from partner agencies following the disorder.

Anyone who recognises the men in the released images is asked to contact police on 101 or submit information online, quoting reference 44260435943. Rowlinson issued a direct warning to those involved: "If you break the law we will take action against you and where it is feasible to do so seek a prosecution."

Source: Sky News