Police turned out in numbers in West Bridgford from around 7 pm this evening as protests were expected across the country at immigration centres.
Officers concentrated on Compton Acres where the business address of a freelance immigration advisor had turned out to be the address of a vulnerable elderly woman.
Unity Protesters held a 200-strong protest at Ruddington Lane Tram Stop.
By 8 pm around five far-right protesters were at the scene according to Open Nottingham’s Unity March organisers.
Open Nottingham anti-racist groups then marched towards the five while chanting with a megaphone, ‘Whose streets, our streets’ and ‘Nazi scum’ ending at the Apple Tree pub car park area
There is now a stand off between the groups on Compton Acres at about 9 pm.
By 10 pm according to Open Nottingham: ‘As the standoff continues, numbers on both sides are warning. Police are trying to negotiate for both sides to move away.’
10 pm
The woman’s family alerted authorities this week and police appealed twice for protesters to stay away from the area.
In a statement earlier today Nottinghamshire Police Assistant Chief Constable Rob Griffin said:
“I understand that people are concerned about what they have been hearing on social media about planned activity in and around the West Bridgford area this evening.
“I would urge anybody of thinking of attending this address not to do so.
“I want to reassure people that this all seems to emanate from a Telegram message where a West Bridgford location was identified.
“I want to stress that this is an elderly’s person home address, and I can confirm that there is no immigration service running from this address.
“We have also received some intelligence that groups are planning to meet at the Ruddington Tram Stop who are seemingly intent on preventing any attack on this address.
“I would reassure those groups that there is no need to do so because we have prepared a policing operation should it be required.
