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| Chris Noble - violence or crime will not be tolerated |
POLICE have warned they will crack down on anyone seeking to use tomorrow's Black Lives Matter demonstration as a springboard to make trouble.
The demonstration is set to start at Cleethorpes Leisure Centre at 3pm (Saturday), with attendees then marching along the promenade, thence on to the beach where there will be speeches.
But some - including resort MP Martin Vickers - have voiced concerns.
Although demonstrators will be urged to wear face covering to protect against Covid-19, not all will do so, thereby putting the community at risk.
There is also a risk of vandalism, or even violence, especially if the demonstration faces hostility.
Humberside police's Assistant Chief Constable, Chris Noble, is looking on the positive side.
In a statement today, he said: “I am confident, having engaged with event organisers, that people attending will protest peacefully, making their voices heard and feelings shown.
"In this, our officers will support them."
However, he continued: "We will not tolerate anyone who uses the event as an opportunity to act violently or to commit crime.
"If we receive reports of people behaving in this manner, we will respond, taking action where necessary to protect the public and protect the right to peaceful protest.”
Mr Noble added: "Coronavirus remains a deadly disease and there are still restrictions in place to prevent its spread.
"We ask that people work with officers at this challenging time to protect public health.
“We continue to work with our communities to engage, explain and encourage them to keep them safe, and we would remind people to observe social distancing to prevent any risk to themselves or others."
He concluded: “There will be a policing presence during the protest in Cleethorpes tomorrow to ensure a safe and peaceful environment for everyone attending."
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