A PERSON was detained after disrupting a planned protest for an anti-knife campaign.

Officers were called to reports of disruption at a planned protest in Bournemouth on November 16.

Measures had reportedly been put in place prior to the event to assure the protest went smoothly.

Two people were issued with dispersal notices and one person initially refused to give personal details which led to them being detained by officers.

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: “We were made aware of planned protest activity involving two separate groups taking place in Bournemouth Square on Saturday 16 November 2024.

“Officers had been liaising with organisers prior to the events and attended on the day to ensure people were able to exercise their right to protest legally and safely without causing significant or ongoing disruption to residents, businesses and visitors to the town.

“Two people were issued with section 35 dispersal notices, requiring them to leave the area as officers sought to ensure there was no breach of the peace.

“It was reported that one of the individuals issued with a section 35 order initially refused to give details to enable the order to be issued.

“He was detained and subsequently gave officers the relevant details so that the dispersal notice could be issued.

“We will continue to seek to enable peaceful protests, but public order offences will not be tolerated and will be dealt with robustly.”