A group of self-styled British patriots are filming themselves moving on local people from benches just minding their own business. A black man sitting in Thornton village green on a sunny day is approached by two men claiming to be part of Danny Tommo's 'Patriot Patrol'.
Footage shows man told to move
In the footage captioned 'God wills it', a man holding a Red Bull can approaches the young man sitting on his own in the park on Friday. The man is not facing any children's park and is sitting next to his bike looking at his phone. But the cameraman approaches, telling his followers, 'There's one sat here'.
He walks over and tells him: 'You can't sit here where the women and children are, mate. Can you just go round there, please? There are women and children on the park. They don't feel safe at the minute, that's all. They don't feel safe with foreign men sitting staring at them unimpeded.'
The cyclist asks: 'Because of me?' 'We're not saying you but other people have been sitting there making them feel uncomfortable. We're not blaming you, just other people.' The man on the bench says 'alright' and picks his bike up and moves off.
Group's social media posts
In the now deleted post, the Blackpool Patriot Platform said: 'A few of the Blackpool patriots were out and about yesterday on peaceful patrol around some of the areas that have been highlighted as problem areas by the public. One male was found sat on the park watching over at the children's play area and was ask politely to move on [sic]'
'If you see any migrants hanging round your local areas please message the page and we will peacefully patrol these areas.'
The group claim to be part of far-right activist Daniel Thomas' Patriot Patrol that have been blocking ports and trying to stop migrants from entering the UK. Their account appears to show another person lying dazed on the pavement after being accused of urinating on a church. In AI videos they portray themselves as 'Crusader era knights' walking towards Blackpool Tower. AI posters circling social media appear to advertise other vigilante groups to patrol local areas and 'keep them safe'.
Legal proceedings and response
Metro has approached Lancashire Police and The Blackpool Patriot Platform for comment. Daniel Thomas, known as Danny Tommo, is facing court on Tuesday charged with allegedly slashing a rubber dinghy in the English Channel. The 37-year-old, of no fixed address, pleaded not guilty to charges of criminal damage and failing to disclose the Pin to his phone to police, under Section 53 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000. Thomas allegedly slashed a boat in the English Channel with an emergency responder on board. He has claimed to be able to mobilise hundreds of men at just a few hours' notice.
