Rival groups kept apart by police in protests over coronavirus restrictions

By The Newsroom
Published 6th Sep 2020, 13:43 BST
Counter yellow vest protesters pictured outside the BBC are pushed back by the police. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEyeCounter yellow vest protesters pictured outside the BBC are pushed back by the police. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye
Counter yellow vest protesters pictured outside the BBC are pushed back by the police. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye
Police are reviewing the evidence gathered at two weekend protests in Belfast city centre in connection with lockdown.

A protest against Covid-19 restrictions was held outside the BBC building on Bedford Street on Saturday afternoon.

A second counter demonstration took place nearby with police employed to keep protesters apart.

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Superintendent Lorraine Dobson said: “Police were in attendance at two protests which began at City Hall and then moved Bedford Street, Belfast [on Saturday afternoon].

Yellow vest protesters pictured outside the BBC. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEyeYellow vest protesters pictured outside the BBC. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye
Yellow vest protesters pictured outside the BBC. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye

“Officers spoke with the parties concerned and where appropriate, explained and encouraged people to comply with directions to prevent any breach of the peace and to ensure that [Coronavirus Regulations] were followed. This approach, based on the ‘4 E’s’ of Engage, Explain, Encourage and Enforcement as a last resort is consistent with our approach in all such cases.

“We will consider evidence we have gathered over the coming days to identify if any offences have been committed.”

Related topics:PoliceBelfastBBCCity Hall