Police sent out in force for rival city centre protests

HUNDREDS of protesters and counter-protesters took to the streets of Newcastle city centre on Saturday afternoon. The protests came a year on from the far-right violence that escalated into riots around the North East in 2024.

- By SAM VOLPE

This time, protests in Newcastle were met with a heavy police presence, as individuals claiming to be "patriots" took part in an event advertised online by the Great British National Protest group outside a city centre hotel. Similar events took place around the country including in London and Manchester.

A counter-protest by the Newcastle Unites and Stand Up To Racism groups took place nearby, close to the Laing Art Gallery. The event was heavily policed and passed without large-scale arrests. The Chronicle understands a small number of people were detained from both the protest and counter-protest groups.