EDL/UAF MARCHES: Police praised for handling of EDL demo in Leicester
Police have been widely praised for their handling of Saturday's English Defence League march and the counter protest by Unite Against Fascism.
Senior officers have confirmed there were no arrests linked to the two marches and – despite several brief skirmishes – the day had passed without a repeat of the violence which broke out when the EDL visited the city in October 2010.
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The EDL march in Leicester on Saturday
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The EDL march in Leicester on Saturday
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The EDL march in Leicester on Saturday
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The EDL march in Leicester on Saturday
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The EDL march in Leicester on Saturday
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The EDL march in Leicester on Saturday
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EDL spokesman Tommy Robinson
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UAF anti-EDL demo in Leicester
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UAF anti-EDL demo in Leicester
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UAF anti-EDL demo in Leicester
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UAF anti-EDL demo in Leicester
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UAF anti-EDL demo in Leicester
However, traders said their takings would be hit hard as many shoppers stayed away.
Police and city mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said their decision to allocate separate routes to both groups in an attempt to reduce opportunities for confrontation had been vindicated.
Sir Peter, who has faced criticism for not seeking to ban the EDL march, said: "Allowing the march to go ahead was clearly the right call. When the EDL came to Leicester in 2010, the city centre was effectively shut down as a result.
"This time around there has been far less disruption, and the entire march has been kept under tight control by the police.
"I'm enormously impressed by how this was handled.
"Of course, having the EDL march through our city wasn't desirable, and of course we didn't want it, but my biggest concern was making sure that the people of the city faced the least disruption possible, and were kept safe."
About 700 people took part in the EDL's march, while 200 joined Leicester Unite Against Fascism on its route, according to police.
However, both groups immediately disputed these figures – with the EDL claiming it had brought more than 1,000 supporters and Leicester Unite Against Fascism saying its protest was supported by more than 700 – mostly local – people.
Suleman Nagdi, of the Leicestershire Federation of Muslim Organisations, said the police and mayor had handled the protests well. Mr Nagdi, who said faith leaders had also contributed to the effort to ensure the marches passed without serious incident, said: "The collective effort of all of us in helping to minimise disruption to our great city showed once again the strength of our unity in Leicester."
City councillor Manjula Sood, chairwoman of the Leicester Council of Faiths, said: "The protest caused a lot of anxiety and worry, but the police worked hard assuring everyone they would be strict with the EDL.
"The police worked very well with the city's communities, especially the Muslim community that was the target of the protest.
"There wasn't trouble and I think that sent a strong message that Leicester will always be united and stand in solidarity."
The police could have applied to the Home Office for an order which would have outlawed the EDL march, but could not have prevented a 'static' protest of the sort it staged when it last came to Leicester.
Senior officers, who had put more than 2,000 police on to the streets for the day, said their tactic of containing marchers at all times had paid off.
Chief constable Simon Cole said: "The success of the operation is due to a number of factors, not least the support from the city council and the co-operation of the Leicester public.
"The planning for this day began just two weeks ago with many officers and staff working extremely long hours working out the logistics, meeting with other force colleagues, partners, businesses and community leaders to name but a few."
Related articles:
EDL/UAF marches: Law and order wins the day in Leicester
THE LIVE UPDATES FROM MERCURY REPORTERS WHO WERE FOLLOWING THE EDL/UAF MARCHES
30 Comments
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by saqibd
Friday, February 24 2012, 12:56PM
“Police praised for handling of demo yeah?
You need to speak to young Muslim lads who were kettled by the police whereas EDL members, some of them clearly identifiable with their black tops (didn't we fight these guys in the 30's and go to war against Nazis?) were allowed to walk around town unescorted. There are always two sides to every story.
Check these videos:
http://tinyurl.com/7mg7snr
http://tinyurl.com/75ze8om
http://tinyurl.com/6n9enad
and read my article here:
http://tinyurl.com/7ye8r9x”
by arthur1
Tuesday, February 07 2012, 2:09AM
“What's missing here is why we EDL were protesting and the reason is that 4 muslims attacked an innocent couple, screaming , die you white ***** and walked away from it without it being considered a hate crime, with the pathetic excuse that they were not used to alcohol, one law for them and another for all other communities.
Any one else would have got jail terms.
As I said, our protest would be peaceful and it was, any of you lefties want to apologise, no, didn't think so.
These injustices must stop, one law for all.”
by DonHenson
Tuesday, February 07 2012, 1:33AM
“The marches were peaceful because numbers were down.
It was cold.
This report was in the crime section because it was about the police handling of the situation. Anyone who reads more into it than that is a part of the problem, not part of the solution.”
by PyrusEDL
Tuesday, February 07 2012, 12:02AM
“@THobbes
It might not be entirely fair to call the UAF 'far-left', but that doesn't stop them calling the EDL 'far right' (or far worse).
Given that 'far right' doesn't seem to mean anything other than 'we don't like you' nowadays, calling the UAF 'far left' just seems to suggest a similar sentiment.
Personally I'm sticking to a tried and tested old argument - 'they started it'.”
by Anti_uaf
Monday, February 06 2012, 11:44PM
“The only trouble I saw was by local muslim trouble makers trying to throw bricks after the march. The EDL stuck to the march, why did the uaf not stick to their route, as there was very few of them it didn't matter, but the unwashed had no respect for the law, supported the trouble makers and had no supporters.”
by SergeForward
Monday, February 06 2012, 11:24PM
“@Jani88: It's in the crime section 1) to reflect the dodginess of the EDL and 2) because the attitudes of their followers, sympathisers and apologists are criminal.
@bavcap: If you're worried by little old Serge Forward, then you really need to get out more. By the way, dictionaries are very useful items which tell you what loads of words mean. Try looking up 'bigoted' because I think you've not really got the definition right.”
by RedKeith
Monday, February 06 2012, 10:25PM
“Lots of comments on EDL sites now about coming back to Leicester soon and often. Quite a few locals asking how to join the EDL on=line too. They think they're welcome here now. A job well done ???”
by Jani88
Monday, February 06 2012, 6:17PM
“Why has the Mercury reported this story in the 'crime' section, to march in the country is not a crime! They do not seem to have much idea on matters in their department and shy away from the people. The marches where very peaceful and Leicester was strong and united, then the Mercury try and make trouble by reporting it as a crime!”
by THobbes
Monday, February 06 2012, 5:11PM
“The "nasty, far-left UAF" includes many members of the Labour party (several local branches are affiliated to the Leicester branch), and founding signatories included Teddy Taylor, Edward Garnier and David Cameron. Only a fascist would describe any of those three as "far-left".”
by bapcav
Monday, February 06 2012, 4:56PM
“As someone who has no time for the nasty far-right EDL nor the nasty far-left UAF, I have to say that "Serge Forward" worries me far more than anyone else who has posted on this site.
Not prepared to accept any other point of view, fixed ideas, bigoted. Scarey.”