Police had "no prior notification" of Sheffield protest and are now working to " identity those involved"
“We are working alongside national teams to identity those involved”
Police have said that they “do not believe there to be any wider risk” to the community after a “nationally co-ordinated” gathering in Sheffield over the weekend.
From as early as 5.30am on Sunday, October 11, police were called to Catley Road in Darnall following reports of a large gathering of people.
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Residents in the area woke up to find individuals clad in black while wearing face paint marching through the street in what is understood to have been a Patriot Platform organised action against Linburg Coach Travel depot, who they accuse of transporting asylum seekers.
In the aftermath of the event, local residents and councillors have asked why they were not informed of the protest ahead of time, however South Yorkshire Police have now told The Star that they had “no prior notification of the protest.”
The force said there is no intelligence to suggest the location was selected to target the local community and the protest was focused entirely on the coach service.
Nevertheless, far-right commentator Tommy Robinson - otherwise known as Stephen Christopher Yaxley-Lennon - turned to social media to claim that the protestors were marching through an “Islamic ghetto.”
Officers are now working on identifying those involved.
Neighbourhoods Inspector Katie Hammond said: “We understand how waking up to a gathering of this nature would have been worrying for our communities and those living in the area.
“This was a nationally co-ordinated gathering, with a gathering simultaneously taking place in London.
“Our officers are continuing to monitor national intelligence and do not believe there to be any wider risk to our local community.
“We are working alongside national teams to identity those involved.
“Officers out today are there for you, if you have any concerns please speak to them.”