A 25-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of inviting support for a proscribed terror organisation following a demonstration outside the Cresta Court on Sunday.
The man, from Sefton near Liverpool, was detained in Hoylake, Merseyside, on suspicion of inviting support for a proscribed organisation, believed to be the banned neo-Nazi group National Action. The group was proscribed under terrorism legislation in December 2016.
Sunday's protest saw opposing groups gather outside the Cresta Court hotel in Altrincham, which closed last year after its owners Vine Hotels agreed a deal with government contractor Serco to house asylum seekers. All future bookings were subsequently moved to alternative venues across Trafford.
At the demonstration on Sunday, groups waving Union Jack flags which read 'Uniting Britain' and 'The Great Britain National Protest' gathered opposite the Church Street hotel.
Counter-protesters brandished banners and signs reading 'stop the far right' and 'stand up to racism'. Chants of 'say it loud, say it clear, refugees are welcome here' were also shouted into a microphone.
Police officers including riot-trained Tactical Aid Unit cops were also at the scene. The protest was also livestreamed on YouTube to thousands of viewers.
A statement from Greater Manchester Police said: "On 31 July 2025, a 25-year-old man from the Sefton area was arrested in Hoylake, Merseyside, on suspicion of inviting support for a proscribed organisation.
"This is in relation to an incident that took place in Altrincham on 27 July 2025. The man remains in custody for questioning and enquiries are being conducted by detectives from Counter Terrorism Policing North West."
