A planned Ukip anti-immigration rally was met by droves of anti-racist protesters at the Bargate on Saturday, as both groups marched through Southampton city centre.

A heavy police presence kept the two groups separate after some scuffles on Bargate Street. A bottled drink was thrown at a bus driving towards Westquay stops and a separate arrest was made.
 
The protests were otherwise peaceful, and Ukip leader Nick Tenconi's megaphone speeches were met by the counter rally's chants of 'there are many, many more of us than you.'

At one point, officers radioed for back-up and at least 20 extra reinforcements ran across from The Walls to calm the situation.

The Ukip rally helped up signs throughout the protest.The Ukip rally helped up signs throughout the protest. (Image: Reece Barrett) Shortly after, a man was handcuffed after five officers surrounded him, handcuffing him and snatching a can of Lynx deodorant - wrapped around a meal deal sandwich container - out of his hand.

READ MORE: Southampton Ukip and anti-racism rallies - as it happened

Both groups marched through the road on Above Bar Street to the Cenotaph at Watts Park, where they eventually were separated again by police vans parking on Commercial Road.

The rallies then headed back towards the city centre, where a heavy police presence remained as people eventually left the protests.

Ukip announced their rally after Mr Tenconi's ill-fated attempt to speak in Southampton in December was cancelled at The View Bar.

He said to our reporter on the scene: "I was going to that venue to speak to eight, nine or 10 Ukip members.

Ukip leader Nick Tenconi was at the Ukip rally.Ukip leader Nick Tenconi was at the Ukip rally. (Image: Reece Barrett) "And that was enough of a threat for the far left to contact the venue, who I rang and spoke to after it was cancelled, they were almost in tears because they were so scared in regards to how the far left had spoken to them.

"We’re back as promised, because we don’t cower or bend the knee to Marxist, Communist or Islamist thugs, who despise Britain and want open borders."

READ MORE: Arrest as police separate anti-immigration and anti-racist rallies

A counter anti-racism rally was therefore arranged, and groups such as Southampton Tenants Union, Unison Southampton District branch and Southampton Stand Up To Racism were all in attendance.

Shirley Franklin was in the anti-racism protest.Shirley Franklin was in the anti-racism protest. (Image: Reece Barrett) Standing in the anti-racism protest, Shirley Franklin said: "We are an anti-racist, tolerant thoughtful city and it’s an absolute disgrace that racists think they can come and intimate here.

"We’re clear that we don’t want them on our streets.”

Both sides held signs, with the anti-racism side asking to 'make peace, not hate' while the Ukip rally chanted in support of Tommy Robinson and held aloft a picture of the Southport killings victims.

'We're here to oppose whipping up a division'

The anti-racism rally chanted throughout the afternoon to show that migrants were welcome in Southampton.

Callum Joyce participated in the anti-racism rally.Callum Joyce participated in the anti-racism rally. (Image: Newsquest) Protestor Callum Joyce told the Echo that their protest wanted to oppose the 'far right and Ukip' from 'trying to whip up a division and pointing the blame at migrants' and refugees.

READ MORE: People bringing hate 'not welcome' at Ukip or anti-racism rallies

Callum said: "We think it was the Tory or labour government not building enough houses and cutting budgets and jobs.

“We’re here for a national campaign for jobs and services, not racism, so we think trade unions can help with that.”

'Fascists belong in the dustbin of history' said one sign in the anti-racism rally.'Fascists belong in the dustbin of history' said one sign in the anti-racism rally. (Image: Reece Barrett) At the end of the protest, a person who wanted to stay unnamed said: ”Where it be Ukip or anyone else, this is a beautiful multicultural city.

”This is a city of love and the message is to keep hate out of Southampton.”

'They are trying to divide us'

Rob Owen from Portsmouth was draped in an England flag and holding pictures of the Southport stabbing victims.

Rob Owen from Portsmouth was at the Ukip rally.Rob Owen from Portsmouth was at the Ukip rally. (Image: Reece Barrett) He told the Echo his reasoning for joining the Ukip rally: "We’re being undercut wage wise by the influx of cheap labour. 

"It’s madness. It’s a Ponzi scheme, at some point this country will go bankrupt, it’ll be bust.

"We didn’t become a country until we embraced multiculturalism. We were invaded by the Danes, the Romans, we weren’t a country until we embraced multiculturalism."

But Rob said that 'those lot' - referring to the anti-racism protest - was driving the UK 'back to times' where it 'was not a country.'

"They are trying to divide us so that we aren’t united, so that we are divided," Rob said.