A police officer has been injured after a peaceful protest in Hampshire descended into chaos.

Investigations are underway to take action against those who sparked disruption in Aldershot on July 31.

A protest took place outside the Potters International Hotel by a group called Rushmoor People First.

READ MORE: Southport stabbings civil unrest at a Hampshire protest

Police said that at around 6.45pm, a minority of the 200 people present began throwing objects and subjecting people to racial abuse.

Hampshire Constabulary said its officers quickly broke the group up - but one officer suffered a minor injury as a result of the disruption.

Since then officers have been reviewing evidence from body-worn cameras, footage captured the National Police Air Service and CCTV cameras in the local area.

They have also been speaking to witnesses at the scene and been out door knocking and on patrol in the community.

Hampshire Police are now appealing for CCTV or dashcam footage from anyone in the area of the Aldershot protest.

Assistant Chief Constable Paul Bartolomeo said: “The swift and decisive actions of our officers last night saw this incident brought under control, preventing further harm to the community in Aldershot.

“Our role is to protect people’s lawful right to protest, while also preventing serious disorder and disruption to the local community and this is what happened last night. 

"It is totally unacceptable to turn that lawful right into criminal acts including incidents of criminal damage, racial abuse and intimidation.  This will not be tolerated in Hampshire and Isle of Wight.

“Our specialist teams are working hard to identify anyone who has committed a criminal offence and we will take swift and robust action against those people.

“As ever, we continue to speak to our communities across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to ensure we have our teams where they need to be and we are constantly reviewing our patrol plans to reassure residents.

“Everyone has the right to free speech and peaceful protest. However, officers will take a robust stance against those whose behaviour falls below the standard we expect and who choose to act outside of the law.”

Anyone with please contact 101 and quote 44240326041.

The disorder in Aldershot comes after wider unrest across the country, following a series of stabbings at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Merseyside on Monday, which saw three girls killed, others injured.