Cops have locked down a street in Glasgow in a frantic bid to prevent a 'planned procession' from going forward.
Police had reportedly 'penned in a crowd' on London Road in the east end of the city, with helicopters understood to have been circling above.
There is also believed to be a hefty police presence across the city in connection with the planned march, as police riot vans and cops station themselves at areas including Glasgow Green, GlasgowLive reports.
Footage taken at one of the scenes, which was shared on social media, shows tens of people pushing back against rows of uniformed officers, who line up in front of the group. Sirens can be heard in the background.
Earlier this morning, Greater Glasgow Police Division released a statement outlining that the Section 12 of Public Order Act had been invoked in order to stop the planned procession from going ahead.
Chief Superintendent Mark Sutherland, Divisional Commander for Greater Glasgow Division, said: “I have authorised officers to use powers under Section 12 of the Public Order Act 1986 to prevent this procession going ahead on the grounds of public safety and to minimise disruption to the local community.
“Police Scotland’s priority is always public safety and this decision was taken as a last resort after careful consideration of the potential impact of a planned counter-protest.
“Decisions about how to police protests require consideration of complex and often competing rights and issues.
“The guiding principles of policing protests are the safety of protestors, the public and police officers involved, preventing criminal behaviour or disorder and deescalating tensions.”
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