Protesters have been praised by police after the Black Lives Matter rally and march passed off peacefully.

BLM movement organisers worked closely with the police and the council to ensure their message was made loud and clear without any problems.

Organisers supplied free sanitiser, nose and mouth coverings, water and constantly urged social distancing, which was adhered too with only family groups or a maximum six in friendship bubbles, staying relatively close.

Acting Sergeant Russ Mason of Suffolk Police said: "The march in Felixstowe at the weekend was attended by around 300 people, the participants behaved considerately and practiced social distancing.

"Locality Inspector Soraya Francis was in attendance, and our two protest liaison officers Sergeant Rocky Hussain and Inspector Matt Breeze engaged with the organisers to facilitate a peaceful gathering.

"We received positive feedback during and following the event."

Felixstowe town mayor Mark Jepson, praised both the protestors and police.

"Our police have officers have worked very hard to engage with these people and have built up good rapport," said Cllr Jepson, who is a former senior police officer.

"It is about doing things properly and communicate. If you engage with each other, agree about what is being done, then it will work.

"The group got their message across without any adverse publicity, the police came out in good light. It shows the vast majority of officers want these things to enable

"It was a very successful event and they got the right message across."

On elf the main threads from the various speakers at the opening rally was how important it was to educate people about racism and both black and white history.

Mayor Jepson agreed an added: "Education is huge. It is education, not just in schools bit in society right across the board.

"We have had so many commissions, so may reviews it takes everyone to play their part. Right from young people, older members of societies, all communities, we hope can rescue those that have the hard views from both sides who can damage all the good that is being done."

One man, not part of the BLM protest group has been arrested and reported for summons for a racially aggravated public order offence.

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