Eight arrests at anti-immigration and counter protest

10 hours agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on Google Hsin-Yi LoSouth East Eddie Mitchell Eight people have been arrested at an anti-immigration protest and counter protest in Brighton Eight people have been arrested at an anti-immigration protest and counter protest in Brighton. An estimated 300 people took part in a Stop The Boats protest on Saturday, while a counter protest organised 4,000 attendees, Sussex Police said. Arrests were made for offences including assaulting a police officer, breach of the peace, possession of a pyrotechnic item and breaching a public order offence. Riot police were deployed after items were thrown at officers, the force added. The anti-immigration march was organised . Sussex Police An estimated 300 people took part in a Stop The Boats protest on Saturday Police said that a woman was arrested on suspicion of breach of the peace and possession of a pyrotechnic item. A man was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer, while another man was arrested on suspicion of assault in three separate incidents. Two further suspects were arrested on suspicion of breaching a public order offence. All five remain in custody. Details of the further three arrests have not been released by police. Ch Supt Adam Hays said: "We understand that there was some disruption near the railway station and surrounding roads. "Public order policing is complex, and while we understand this can be frustrating, we always balance the rights of all protest groups and the wider community. "Public safety is always our priority." An estimated 4,000 people took part in a counter protest in Brighton Eddie Mitchell The anti-immigration march was organised , Brighton & Hove City leader Bella Sankey said that "far right agitators" were "stirring up division". Meanwhile, Hove DJ Fatboy Slim performed at the counter protest. In a post on social media, he said: "Never been more proud of my home town. More disco, less fascism." Sussex Police said that officers were in attendance to help "maintain a safe distance between two protest groups". Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc. co. uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. More on this story Related internet links Brighton Brighton and Hove City Council Hove UK immigration