A 60-year-old man and a 18-year-old from Farnham have been arrested in relation to disorder at a protest in Aldershot.

On July 31, around 200 people gathered for a peaceful protest at Potters International Hotel when later a minority engaged in criminal activity.

The two men were arrested on suspicion of affray and using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour to stir up racial hatred. They have since been released on bail while a file has been submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service with enquiries ongoing.

The disorder continued when rioters took to the streets across the country which saw police attacked, shops damaged and ransacked and objects thrown. However, locals and Rushmoor People First stood opposite Potters on August 4 peacefully.

On the police front, Hampshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Donna Jones came under fire for appearing to justify the actions of rioters in a statement which was later taken down.

She said: “Whilst the devastating attacks in Southport on Tuesday were a catalyst the commonality amongst the protest groups appears to be focussed on three key areas - the desire to protect Britain’s sovereignty; the need to uphold British values and in order to do this, stop illegal immigration.

“Arresting people, or creating violent disorder units is treating the symptom and not the cause.”

Her words have fuelled calls for the PCC to step down with former chief prosecutor Nazir Afzal calling the statement “totally unacceptable”.

Despite criticism, Jones said she stands by her initial statement.

“I fully support the police’s response to stem the growth of these riots and those acting outside of the law should expect to feel the full force of it,” she added.

Former Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate Khalil Yousuf commented: “Riots and disorder are never the answer and I condemn them strongly and unequivocally.  

“I am shocked by the divisive, inflammatory, and irresponsible statements made by Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones regarding the riots, who in a formal statement claimed that arresting thugs was merely “treating the symptom and not the cause”.

“We have a wonderful community in Farnham, Bordon, Haslemere, Liphook and surrounding villages.

“I know from personal experience that followers of Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Sikhism, other faiths and people of no faith have lived here together in peace and harmony for decades. And that must continue.”

While there has been no unrest in Surrey at time of writing, Woking’s Shah Jahan Mosque was the site of a large police presence on August 5. 

Police had been made aware of plans to target the mosque, after reports spread across social media. The force confirmed there were no signs of disorder but stayed on site throughout the evening.

Surrey Police said: “Our officers will continue to engage with those local communities who have been feeling vulnerable since we first saw the increase in violent disorder across the country following the tragic events in Southport last week.”

The Mosque said that misinformation and misunderstanding about Muslims is not helping the situation.