Lincolnshire anti-racism campaigners have accused far-right groups of exploiting concerns over violence against women to spread “racism and division” following a further protest in Skegness.

Members of Lincolnshire Women Against the Far Right and Stand Up To Racism attended a counter demonstration on Saturday in response to the protest organised on the seafront by Unite The Right UK activists.

The latest gathering followed a demonstration over the Bank Holiday weekend connected to an alleged incident in the North Parade area on April 26.

In a statement released ahead of Saturday’s protest, the anti-racism groups said they stood “with all survivors of violence against women and girls” but claimed far-right organisations were using women’s safety “as a weapon to spread hate”.

Members of Lincolnshire Women Against the Far Right and Stand Up To Racism attended a counter demonstration.

placeholder image — Members of Lincolnshire Women Against the Far Right and Stand Up To Racism attended a counter demonstration.

The statement said: “Far-right attacks on asylum hotels are not about ‘protecting Britain’ — they are acts that directly endanger women and children.”

Campaigners also alleged women involved in their organisation had themselves received threats after speaking out publicly.

The groups claimed recent protests in Skegness had included “placards with racial slurs on them”, demonstrators “beating at the door of a refugee hotel”, and harassment of hotels suspected of housing asylum seekers.

The statement added: “We believe in a society where all women are safe, supported, and free from abuse — regardless of their background or where they come from.”

A second Protest organised by Unite The Right UK activists has taken place in Skegness.

However, Steve Dand of Unite the Right UK told Lincolnshire World they were “not racist” and no-one from the group had been “ banging on hotel doors or harassing anyone.” ”Yes, we do highlight the problem of mass immigration and its effects on our communities; yes, we do highlight the fact that sexual assaults by these ‘immigrants’ is on the rise,” he said.

“I, personally, was sickened to hear what had happened (alleged assault on the woman in Skegness) and felt I had failed her because we didn't do enough.

"So, to the women against the ‘FAR RIGHT’ it's time you realised that the very same people you are protecting are the very same people that wouldn't think twice about doing the same to you!

"And it's because of your chants of ‘racists’ that women are put off reporting these incidents.”

As reported, there is an ongoing Lincolnshire Police investigation into the reported assault of a woman in her 40s.

Previously, police confirmed a 25-year-old man from Sudan had been arrested in connection with the incident and remained on police bail while inquiries continue.

Police have also urged people not to speculate online, warning that misinformation could impact the investigation and any future court proceedings.

After the protest on Saturday, a spokesperson said: “The afternoon protests passed largely peacefully with no arrests being made.

“At the height of the protest, around 2.30pm, we saw around 50 people taking part, and the counter protest included around 15 people.