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An increasing police presence is in Preston city centre as some businesses have closed early at the prospect of far-right riots targeting the city.
A police presence is in Church Street where a legal firm which advises on immigration has been boarded up.
The move, by Preston City Council to board up the building, comes after the immigration advisory service was listed online as part of a list of dozens of locations across the country which could be targeted during Wednesday (7 August) evening.
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Signs in the windows of a handful of businesses say they have ‘due to local protests, we are closing early’ – such as the one in Turtle Bay which faces onto the Flag Market and EastZEast in Church Street has also decided to close earlier. The majority of Preston city centre businesses that would open during a Wednesday evening are open.
Preston’s Business Improvement District says it has been giving advice and updates to city centre businesses throughout the course of Wednesday as they and other authorities receive updates and guidance from police.
A statement from Assistant Chief Constable of Lancashire Police, Phil Davies, released during Tuesday said ‘we continue to have a robust policing response in place to tackle possible disorder.’
Riot vans are lined up around the corner from Church Street and road closure highways vehicles are also in attendance if needed. Blog Preston has seen a small number of counter-demonstrators arriving around 7pm on Wednesday evening.
The counter-demonstrators have now gathered outside the boarded up premises in Church Street.
Earlier on Wednesday a statement was released by Preston City of Sanctuary saying the city was a ‘welcome, tolerant place’.
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