A big police presence reacted to flashpoints around George Square yesterday as hundreds of people gathered while tensions increased over statues on historical figures with links to slavery.

Police on horses, in vans and in riot gear formed a ring around the square for hours in the afternoon after a crowd began forming just before noon.

Police said several groups were identified with “known football risk groups” involved in both sides.

READ MORE: No arrests despite clashes between loyalist groups and police in George Square

It appeared there were three types among those within the square.

There were a small group of around 40 to 50 around the Cenotaph, many with veterans uniforms on and some from motorcycle groups, including a few with Blue Angels colours and others with veterans motorcycle group insignia.

John McIntyre, said he was ex Royal Artillery, and was there in his veterans uniform with colleagues.

He said: “We are veterans. We are not here to demonstrate or to protest.

“We are here to guard our cenotaph. Our sole aim here is the cenotaph, not the other statues.

“Our grandfathers and forefathers died for this and I feel it is our duty to protect the cenotaph.”

Pointing the rest of the crowd in the square, he added: “We don’t care about this lot over there. We are nothing to do with them.”

Inside the square, gathered in small groups of around half a dozen to a dozen, were groups of mainly men, ranging in age from 30s to 60s, who were standing around acting as a presence should anyone, intending to target statues, turn up.

The other group, of a few hundred, consisted of mostly young men from teens to early thirties whose focus was beyond the police cordon around the square and aiming to identify anyone they thought could be protesters.

The seemed intent on confrontation and relishing the prospect of violence.

Mainly dressed in black with faces covered. On several occasions they charged towards the streets around George Square.

A group calling itself the Loyalist Defence League had days earlier urged supporters to gather in George Square to protect statues.

Glasgow Times:

In streets around the square smaller groups had formed looking to enter George Square leading to the flashpoints

The original protest, organised by the Glasgow Youth Art Collective, was postponed due to what organisers say was a lack of access to the square and “police targeting activists”.

It is believed that those protesters were intending to enter George Square, from different streets, to target the statue of Robert Peel, former Prime Minister and founder of the Metropolitan Police in London, leading to those in the square charging towards them while police kept them apart.

On at least one occasion police drew batons to force the crowd back into the square.

At one stage a woman was led to safety after a number in the crowd surged to surround her.

She was swiftly surrounded by police instead and removed outside the police cordon.

Following another thwarted surge towards Hanover Street a number began a chorus of Rule Britannia while facing the police.

READ MORE: Loyalist group stages second protest on George Square

Police Scotland, Chief Superintendent Alan Murray, said: “A sizeable number of individuals identified as being from various groups gathered in George Square this morning with a stated intention of protecting statues.

“Throughout the day, police officers were required to intervene due to the presence of opposing groups to maintain order and public safety.

“Both factions included known football risk groups.

“There have been no arrests in connection with the event today.

“As is usual with events of this nature, a review will take place and should any criminality be identified appropriate action will be taken.”

Nicola Sturgeon reacted to the incidents.

The First Minister, said: “Violent protest is never acceptable.

“I say to anyone that has found themselves on the streets of Glasgow in an altercation with other groups or with the police, that they should really take a long hard look at themselves.

“That is not acceptable behaviour at any time, but at this time of crisis that the country faces, I think it’s particularly shameful behaviour.”

Meanwhile Humza Yousaf, Justice Secretary said: “Our Police Officers have been at the front line keeping us safe during pandemic. Today’s scenes in Glasgow are shameful.

“Be in no doubt you will face the full force of the law if you assault a Police Officer.

“What a contrast to peaceful BLM protests in Scotland last week.”