Police and protesters faced off in Glasgow as immigration officers tried to remove people from a property during Eid al-Fitr celebrations.

A crowd of around 200 people gathered in Kenmure Street, with people lying under a Home Office van to stop it moving.

Dozens of police officers surrounded the vehicle as people chanted “cops go home” and “leave our neighbours, let them go”.

@NicolaSturgeon Can you intervene here? We don't want our neighbours, people of Pollokshields, deported. We want a Scotland that welcomes refugees not an inhuman hostile environment policy pic.twitter.com/OeFIC8tdBl

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who is the MSP for the area, tweeted: The @ukhomeoffice action today is creating a dangerous and unacceptable situation in Pollokshields.

“As local MSP, I am also seeking urgent answers from them – they must resolve this situation ASAP.”

And the SNP’s justice secretary, Hamza Yousaf, also posted on social media, saying: “I am disappointed that out of eight Home Office ministers none of them could make themselves available to speak to me.

“Having spoken to the [director general] for Home Office in Scotland I have urged him to abandon the forced removal.

“He will consider next steps & I have requested an update.”

A spokesman for Police Scotland said the force was called at 9.55am to support the UK Border Agency.

He added: “The call was made by UK Immigration Enforcement (UKIE) after a group of protesters gathered at the address where UKIE staff were in attendance.

“Police Scotland does not assist in the removal of asylum seekers. Officers are at the scene to police the protest and to ensure public safety.”

Mohammad Asif, the director of the Afghan Human Rights Foundation, was one of the people at the protests.

He said: “We’re here against the hostile environment created by the Tories and the British state.

“The same people who run from the British and American bombs put at the back of the van right now. And they are about to be deported.

“And it’s on Eid you know… the guys are not even allowed to pray. How do you do that in a democratic society? It’s a sad day.”

One neighbour, who only gave their name as Tom, compared the events happening on Eid to a raid on Christmas Day.

Eid al-Fitr is the celebration that marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan in Islam.

Tom said: “The solidarity shown today shows the community will not stand for their neighbours being dragged from their homes.

“I’d ask Christians to reflect on what it would feel like to have your house raided on Christmas Day.”

The Home Office has been approached for a comment.

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