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todays nuneaton news
Topic Started: Nov 29 2010, 01:42 PM (147 Views)
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In what was the fourth time that the English Defence League (EDL) had demonstrated in the town in just two months, and the first time the group had nationally advertised a rally, EDL sympathisers descended on the town in coach loads.
From Nottingham to Rowley Regis and even as far away as Southampton, around 1,500 EDL supporters congregated in Justice Walk car park, ready to stage a march and demonstration in the town.

Simmering tensions nearly boiled over into violence moments after the EDL's official march had started just after 1pm.

It came to a nasty flashpoint as the march came past the Church Street car park where around 150 Nuneaton Anti-Facist Alliance (NAFA)and associated group members were staging a peaceful static, counter demonstration.

Cans, bottles, stones and fireworks were thrown, and angry words and chants were exchanged between the rival protesters.

It came to an ugly climax when both sides surged towards each other and police horses, dogs and riot officers had to rush-in to keep the two apart.

Once tempers had cooled, the march proceeded around onto Vicarage Street, past the Justice Centre, down into Bond Gate and then back up Wheat Street and into the Justice Walk car park, where an EDL rally was held.

Coaches then pulled up to pick-up the majority of the sympathisers but the police presence stayed into the town way into the evening and into yesterday.

At the time of going to press five people had been arrested as a result of the policing operation, code-named `Cavendish,' including a 17 year old male from Nuneaton, who was arrested on suspicion of being in possession of a bladed article, and a 23-year-old male also from the town who was arrested for a public order offence.

Many defiant traders turned out to man stalls on the market but despite reassurances that it was `business as usual' many admitted that the town was quieter. But they had no qualms about the huge police presence which was, at times, larger than the actual amount of shoppers.

The financial impact of the event is not yet known but trade was almost certainly hit, not only for market holders but also shops, some of which chose to close for the day and others shut at midday.

Several town centre pubs also lost trade after being asked to close by police to help disperse EDL sympathisers after the event.

Police chiefs were also unable to give a figure of how much the operation had cost Warwickshire Police Force but all leave was cancelled on the day, and back-up was called from neighbouring forces, all of which had to be paid by the local force.

But Superintendent Adrian McGee said that it was `proportionate' policing response which had worked well.

"Saturday was successful but we still have a police operation in place to ensure that Nuneaton is safe and it is safe for people to come into town," Supt McGee said.

"Both parties have a right to protest and counter-protest and it is our job to facilitate that. Both groups signed a `Memorandum of Understanding,' and provided their own stewards to essentially help police the event. I am fairly satisfied we had sufficient numbers, there could have been a more robust response but the operation was proportionate."

He also praised local residents: "We are grateful to the people of Nuneaton and we hope that their everyday lives were not disrupted too much, we apologise for any inconvenience caused."

Investigations will be undertaken to find those who threw the missiles, but Supt McGee justified the reason why the EDL march went passed where the counter demonstration was held.

"We recognised that was always going to be issues in that area but it was something that, if policed properly, would defuse the situation, and would prevent any issues that could have occurred later in the town centre, putting more people at risk," he said.

"You learn from every policing operation and I am sure that lessons will be learned from today, but Warwickshire Police has a good track record in operational policing."

He said that the event required a national response, as a similar one in any other area of the country would, and have worked with officers from neighbouring forces as well as the British Transport Police.

http://www.nuneaton-news.co.uk/News/Police-hold-the-line.htm
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dudleyanglosaxon
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I see they forgot to mention from which side the 17 year old from Nuneaton was from? Probably one of many carrying blades looking for easy pickings...
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EDL sympathisers? Thats a new one.
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sympathisers ?
activists more like .
keyboard warriors may be called sympathisers ( but even they do actually become active at times)
anyone who puts their feet on the street at a demo is an active member
another piece of denial from the media /press
stop the denial . the EDL IS becoming a major force and until the problem is resolved, we can only get bigger and better
NS
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