Merseyside Police Prepared for UKIP City Centre Rally and Possible Counter Protest

Merseyside Police can confirm it will be policing a protest organised by the political party UKIP in Liverpool city centre on Saturday, 23 August. 

This is the latest in its series of events, which have taken place in cities across the UK. UKIP has provided formal notification of its intentions to protest and march in Liverpool, in accordance with everyone's right to do so.  

Merseyside Police is working to ensure that there is minimum disruption for local communities and businesses in the city centre. 

The force has been engaging with the organisers of the protest and officers will be deployed for its duration respecting the right to peaceful and lawful protest. 

It is expected that there will be a counter protest, and all reasonable efforts are being made in a bid to engage with those parties who may be involved in the counter demonstration, to respect their right to lawful and peaceful protest. 

If a counter demonstration does take place tomorrow (Saturday, 23 August) Merseyside Police will work to ensure all parties involved in both events uphold the law and are able to exercise their right to protest. 

It is important that we keep disruption to residents, businesses and visitors to a minimum and we will be working with partners to do all we can to achieve this. 

We will not tolerate acts of criminality or anti-social behaviour, and we will be robust in our response to anyone involved in this type of activity. 

Police will continue to monitor the situation throughout Saturday. There are many events taking place across the city, and as always, our officers and staff will be visible and keeping people safe.