NO statues are set to be removed from across Hampshire following anti-racism demonstrations, it is understood.

Hampshire Constabulary has confirmed that the force has not issued any advice to any of the councils across the county to remove statues or commemorative plaques.

The news comes as earlier this week Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council confirmed that the statue of Robert Baden-Powell on Poole Quay will be removed and placed in “safe storage” to “minimise the risk of any public disorder or anti-social behaviour”.

The local authority said the decision followed a Dorset Police's advice.

But when asked whether the force had given similar advice to councils across Hampshire, a spokesperson for Hampshire Constabulary said “that is not the case in Hampshire, we have given no such advice”.

The news comes as Topple the Racists has identified dozens of statues across the UK which “celebrate slavery and racism”.

But none of these statues or monuments is in Hampshire, according to Topple the Racists website.

A number of councils across Hampshire have also confirmed that there are no statues or commemorative plaques that need to be removed.

A spokesperson for Southampton City Council said: “We can confirm there aren’t any statues that we are expecting to be removed in Southampton.”

A spokesperson for Hampshire County Council added: “Our initial checks would indicate that Hampshire County Council does not have any statues or commemorative plaques of this nature.  We are clear that there is no place in our society for racism, and the County Council is united with residents across Hampshire who have stood in solidarity with thousands across the globe to defend the principles of equality.”

 

Test Valley Borough Council also said there has been no consideration for the removal of any of the statues or commemorative plaques across the borough as “there are no statues or plaques of controversy”.

Hart District Council also said it has no statues or monuments of this nature.

Meanwhile, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council said they are unaware of any controversial statues or controversial commemorative plaques in public spaces that are owned by the borough council.

The news comes as on Sunday demonstrators tore down the statue of Edward Colston during a protest in Bristol.

All councils in Hampshire have been approached for comment, but not all of them were able to provide one before the paper went to press.