Social media posts about businesses in Penzance not true

Devon and Cornwall Police responded to a clarification request from the Packet by simply saying: “Police have not been telling businesses in Penzance not to open on Saturday.”

The claim was posted this week on a Penzance Facebook following violence at an anti and pro-immigration rally in Plymouth on Monday for which three were men jailed this week, with more expected.

This followed serious violence and looting in towns and cities across the country from far right groups the previous week and weekend.

Claims were made that because of the potential for a demonstration on Saturday that police had warned businesses to close, which they say is completely untrue.

Penzance BID and Penzance Council say they have also been in dialogue with the police, who have confirmed they have not asked or informed any business to close or change their operating hours.

Penzance Town Council issued a statement saying: “In response to the social media posts regarding a potential demonstration taking place in the centre of Penzance on Saturday, Penzance BID and Penzance Council have been in dialogue with the police who have confirmed they have not asked or informed any business to close or change their operating hours.

“The police have said that any guidance or directions will come from official channels and that the community should not speculate or draw from other unofficial sources.

“They will continue to support the communities with reassurance patrols and engagements and work very closely with the Safety Partnership to provide the best possible outcomes and advice to the public."

Local businessman Dick Cliffe said that concerns about a demonstration by the far right on Saturday had receded.

“Penzance is extremely well covered with public space CCTV so any individual ‘kicking off’ in the town is likely to be identified eventually and a custodial sentence is likely given national concern about political violence escalating,” he said.