Police in Cheltenham have reported that protests held in the town centre on Saturday, December 13, passed without incident. The demonstration involved two opposing groups expressing their views on asylum seeker policies.
Approximately 12 protesters opposing the housing of asylum seekers in local hotels and around 70 counter-protesters welcoming immigrants assembled from midday to 3pm near Cambray Place. Gloucestershire Police had anticipated the event and increased their presence to ensure the demonstration remained orderly and safe.
A spokesperson for the force said, “The protest remained peaceful throughout, with no arrests made. The enhanced police presence helped facilitate a lawful assembly while protecting public order.”
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Road closures implemented for the event have since been lifted, with the police thanking the public and local businesses for their cooperation.
Deputy Chief Constable Katy Barrow-Grint emphasized the balanced approach taken during the protest: “We appreciate the people of Cheltenham for their support. Officers worked to uphold the rights of peaceful protesters and maintain the community’s daily activities without disruption. Thanks are also due to both groups for engaging with us beforehand.”
Social media posts indicated that counter-protester numbers might have been higher than official counts, with one attendee on Stroud Against Racism estimating around 200 participants. This group expressed hope that their presence reassured asylum seekers living in Cheltenham’s Town of Sanctuary that they are welcome.
Stroud District Council leader Cllr Chloe Turner echoed this sentiment on Facebook, praising the unity shown by local groups. She highlighted the small size of the anti-refugee protest and called attention to broader issues, stating, “Refugees are not the problem, inequality is. The sooner we fix that, the better.” She also criticized the current Labour government’s immigration policies, advocating for a fairer and more compassionate approach.