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Man arrested at M20 services, junction 8, near Maidstone

More arrests have been made in connection with violence at motorway services near Maidstone at the weekend, which has been linked to demonstrations in Dover.

Six people were originally arrested and six injured as police seized numerous weapons but today officers confirmed an additional four people have been arrested.

Officers were called to Maidstone Services, just off junction 8 of the M20, at 10.50am to reports of trouble just hours before two separate protests - an anti-fascism rally and a far-right demonstration - were due to take place at the same time in the coastal town.

A coach was damaged and police called at Junction 8 services. Picture: @bat020
A coach was damaged and police called at Junction 8 services. Picture: @bat020

Coach windows had been smashed and graffiti scrawled on the side of the vehicles, including a bright red swastika, and eyewitnesses described seeing a "coachload" of people arrive before the trouble started.

Police confirmed on Saturday evening they arrested a 51-year-old man from Fulham in south west London, a 48-year-old man from Farnborough in Hampshire, a 51-year-old man from Wallington in Surrey, a 51-year-old man from Hounslow in west London, a 25-year-old man from Leeds in West Yorkshire, and a 53-year-old man from Crowborough in East Sussex, all on suspicion of violent disorder.

On Monday, officers revealed a 23-year-old man from Peckham, London, a 28-year-old man from Wigan in Lancashire, and a 36-year-old man from Clifton in Lancashire have all been arrested on the same charge.

A 24-year-old man from Ryton in Northumberland was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage. All 10 have been bailed until dates April.

Coaches were vandalised at the motorway services. Picture: @bat020
Coaches were vandalised at the motorway services. Picture: @bat020

At Maidstone Services and in Dover, police seized a total of more than 20 weapons including a lock-knife, knuckle duster, poles adapted to cause harm, pieces of wood, glass, hammers and bricks.

Six people were treated for non-life threatening injuries.

Maidstone Services reopened in the afternoon to all vehicles except coaches.

A huge police presence was also spotted at the Stop24 Folkestone Services at junction 11.

A police spokesman said one coach that left junction 8 earlier has been stopped by officers at the junction 11 services and inquiries were also ongoing there.

Police initially said they were unable to confirm whether the disturbances were linked to the anti-fascism rally being held in Dover by left-wing groups Dover Stand Up 2 Racism (DSUR) and the Kent Anti Racism Network (KARN), and a separate demonstration involving The National Front and other right-wing organisations.

M20 services at junction 8. Pic: Paul Gillett
M20 services at junction 8. Pic: Paul Gillett

However, a spokesman has now confirmed they believe the service station trouble and the Dover rallies are connected.

Witnesses reported seeing as many as eight unmarked police cars racing from the Maidstone section of the M20, coastbound, but it is not clear whether these were headed to the junction 8 services or another incident further down the motorway.

A police spokesman said: "Kent Police would like to thank the local community for its cooperation and patience throughout the demonstrations."

Both M20 services, which have several restaurants and shops as well as a petrol station, are used by traffic travelling in both directions on the motorway.

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