Indian Navy sailors taking a training exercise in Britain have been mistaken for migrants by protesters in Plymouth.
A ‘patriots’ group posted about ‘migrants’ on a seafront and reports were made to Devon and Cornwall Police.
The organisation Devon and Cornwall Patriot Defence’s site shared photos of men taking pictures of each other on Plymouth Hoe.
It said the group of what appeared to be Asian males were ‘raising concerns’ among people who thought they ‘may have been migrants’.
The post said there were some ‘worrying reports circulating about incidents around Plymouth Hoe and the city centre’.
The Facebook post last Friday also alleged there were people being followed, having photos taken and local burglaries and assaults.
It said groups were ‘reportedly gathering outside a local gym’ and cited concerns by locals which ‘deserve to be looked into properly’.
But it has since transpired the males were servicemen from a visiting Indian frigate and were sightseeing while on leave.
The organisation Devon and Cornwall Patriot Defence’s site shared photos of men taking pictures of each other on Plymouth Hoe
It said the group of what appeared to be Asian or Indian males were ‘raising concerns’ among people who thought they ‘may have been migrants’
But it has since transpired the males were servicemen from a visiting Indian frigate and were sightseeing while on leave – pictured is INS Trishul, shared online by HM Naval Base Devonport
Police also confirmed they had reports of the men wearing balaclavas which were actually hoods or snoods.
The vessel was part of a joint training exercise with the Royal Navy.
The Indian naval frigate INS Trishul had arrived in Devonport to participate in Exercise KONKAN-26.
The Indian Government posted that the exercise was ‘being conducted off Plymouth, UK, in two phases from 08-15 Oct 26’.
It explained: ‘India-UK annual bilateral maritime exercise KONKAN-26 is a testament to the enduring maritime partnership between India and the UK.
‘Over the past two decades, the exercise has grown significantly in scale and complexity, fostering enhanced interoperability and mutual understanding in maritime operations between the two Navies.
‘Since its inception, KONKAN has evolved into a cornerstone of co-operation, showcasing the commitment of both Navies towards enhancing maritime security.
‘The Harbour Phase includes a broad spectrum of professional interactions, cross-deck visits, sports fixtures, cultural engagements and the ship being open to visitors.
The Indian Navy’s front-line guided missile stealth frigate INS Trishul arrived at HM Naval Base Devonport, Plymouth for a scheduled port call
The Royal Navy said the exercise was ‘aimed at deepening bilateral ties and enhancing maritime co-operation between India and the UK’
The Indian naval frigate INS Trishul and crews arrived in Devonport for Exercise KONKAN-26
‘The Sea Phase will encompass complex maritime operational drills across all three domains – air, surface and sub-surface.
‘Flying operations involving cross-deck landings, firing serials, air defence exercises, complex seamanship evolutions and anti-submarine exercises will add further complexity to this edition of Exercise KONKAN.’
HMS Naval Port Devonport’s captain Iain Richie described it as ‘a great pleasure to welcome INS Trishul’.
He added: ‘We are delighted to host the ship and wish them every success in the days ahead.’
Devon and Cornwall Police said it had received a report of two teenage girls who said they felt ‘uneasy by the presence of a group of around 20 men’.
Officers confirmed there was ‘no interaction’ and the girls came to no harm but inquiries were under way.
The force said: ‘It has also been clarified that the men were not wearing balaclavas, although some of them are thought to have been wearing snoods around their necks.
‘We are aware of ongoing commentary on social media and appreciate the concerns raised by members of the community.
‘In this instance, having considered the evidence from witnesses and CCTV, no criminal offences have been identified at this time, but should any be reported, they will be investigated appropriately.’
The full Devon and Cornwall Police update today said: ‘Further to our previous statement, which relates to activity on social media around an incident in Plymouth, last week, we would like to add the following.
‘We were notified about a report of two teenaged girls being made to feel uneasy by the presence of a group of around 20 men in the Citadel Road area of Plymouth at around 4.50pm on Thursday 8 October.
‘The girls left the area unhindered and were collected by family members.
‘As part of our enquiries into the matter, we spoke to the girls and their families who have confirmed that the girls felt uneasy while the men were nearby, but there was no interaction between the parties.
‘It has also been clarified that the men were not wearing balaclavas, although some of them are thought to have been wearing snoods around their necks.
‘We are aware of ongoing commentary on social media and appreciate the concerns raised by of members of the community.’
The full post by the group called Devon and Cornwall Patriot Defence had said: ‘PLYMOUTH – WHAT ON EARTH WAS GOING ON YESTERDAY?
‘Was it just me, or did Plymouth seem unusually busy yesterday? I’ve seen people raising concerns about groups they believe may have been migrants, alongside some worrying reports circulating about incidents around Plymouth Hoe and the city centre.
‘These claims are currently unverified, but they deserve to be looked into properly.’
The group added: ‘As a community, we deserve accurate information about what’s happening in our city.
‘Nobody should feel unsafe walking home, and no parent should have to worry about their child being followed or approached inappropriately.
‘This isn’t about judging anyone by their nationality or background. It’s about keeping Plymouth safe and making sure genuine incidents are investigated.’
The posts have been subject to mockery online, with one commenter saying: ‘The furore on the pages of the Plymouth Patriots and others is hysterical, the usual tropes and “protect are wimmin”, yet seeing foreign crew members is common in a city which has been a naval base for centuries.’
Another woman wrote: ‘Seeing as Plymouth is a military port and HMS Devonport is the largest naval base in Western Europe, common sense should say what happened.
‘But we don’t have common sense anymore.’
There have been various anti-migrant protests across the south coast in recent months, including in Portsmouth and in Dover, Kent.
Demonstrators in Portsmouth last month gathered outside a hotel where they believed asylum seekers were being held, only to discover the visitors there were members of Pakistan’s under-19 cricket team.
