FOUR people were arrested after protesters clashed at Gloucester Green bus station yesterday. 

A protest by a group claiming to be aligned to the National Front had planned to head to Bonn Square at 1pm yesterday.

Counter-protesters from anti-facist groups, such as Oxford United Against Fascism and Antifa, also arranged to head into the city centre, meeting at 11am at Bonn Square.

Both groups then congregated at Gloucester Green bus station. 

Four people involved with the protests were arrested. Two have now been charged.

Dominic O’Dwyer, aged 26, of Howard Street, Oxford was charged with theft and obstructing or resisting a constable in execution of duty earlier today.

Subira Wahogo, aged 21, from Magdalen Rd, Oxford, was charged with obstructing or resisting a constable in execution of duty and using threatening words or behaviour.

Both have been bailed to appear at Oxford Magistrates' Court on August 11.

Two other people, a 26-year-old man from Oxford and a 25-year-old man from Reading were both given cautions for obstructing or resisting a constable in the execution of duty.

 

Oxford Mail:

  • Anti-fascist groups gathered at Bonn Square before heading to Gloucester Green

Thames Valley Police said  that it had stepped up its presence in the city centre as a precaution, but had expected the protest to be peaceful. 

More than 50 police officers were reported to be on the scene as about 100 protesters showed up. 

The right-wing group of protesters had organised to meet in the Four Candles pub ahead of their demonstration, which was advertised as being against what the group called  "Asian grooming."

The pub was closed due to "unforseen circumstances."

Instead about 40 people from the group headed to nearby Eurobar, which was later shut.

Supt Christian Bunt, local police commander for Oxford police area, said: "We engaged with our key stakeholders and I am pleased that these demonstrations passed with minimal disruption. We are grateful for the support we received from local businesses and communities.

“The demonstrations had understandably caused concern among some of our communities and I would like to thank them for their tolerance, co-operation and patience."

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