Boy, 14, among eight arrests made in connection with Glasgow Green anti-immigration protest

A 14-year-old boy is among eight more arrests made in connection with an anti-immigration protest that took place on Glasgow Green earlier this month.

Officers responded to “disorder, violence, intimidation and hate-motivated offences” in the city centre following planned demonstrations involving around 1,700 people on July 25.

Police chased and held back “Unite the Clans” demonstrators who ran towards an anti-fascist group, with many on both sides wearing masks.

Punches were thrown as the anti-immigration group approached anti-racism campaigners, while projectiles were thrown into the anti-racism crowd.

Helicopters circled the park, one of the city’s busiest, as police managed to separate the groups.

Disorder involving a group of approximately 100 people then moved into the city centre, and officers sealed off Oswald Street.

Police Scotland has confirmed a further eight arrests have been made.

Six men, aged 22, 30, 30, 32, 42, and 53, and a 35-year-old female have been charged with offences including assault, possession of an offensive weapon, hate crime and breach of the peace. They are all due to appear at the city’s sheriff court at a later date.

A 14-year-old male youth will also be reported to the Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration in connection with a hate crime offence.

This brings the total of arrests made in connection with the disorder to 26.

Extensive enquiries remain ongoing, and those with information are urged to call 101, quoting Operation Cornstarch, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Chief Superintendent Stevie Dolan has said those involved in the disorder “will be brought to justice”.

He added: “People have a right to peaceful protest. We perform various functions at protests but our main role is to prevent crime and disorder; whether that criminality is from people who are part of a protest group, counter protesters or passers-by disrupting a protest.

“The disorder at this protest had a significant impact on communities, businesses and police officers and it will not be tolerated and anyone involved should expect to be identified and arrested.

“Any violence or disorder will get a strong response. There is no tolerance for people pretending to be part of a peaceful protest who are intent on causing disorder.”