Arrests at English Defence League demo

Supporters of the EDL gathered for the demonstration in the city centre of Bradford today.

The city centre was on lockdown in preparation for the demonstration, with businesses closed and hundreds of police drafted in amid fears of clashes.

Around half a mile away, Unite Against Fascism and We Are Bradford also gathered at the Crown Court Plaza, to protest against the EDL demonstration. A community celebration event called Be Bradford – Peaceful Together -also took place at Infirmary Fields in the city.

While the police largely contained the demonstrations, five people were arrested and one policeman was injured.

Channel 4 News North of England Correspondent Nick Martin in Bradford said: “It didn’t take long for violence to break out. Some EDL members surging the police line, and then missiles were thrown at the beginning of an afternoon of disorder.”

He said the vast police operation could have cost anything between £300,000 and £600,000.

Missiles thrown at police and arrests
Up to a thousand EDL supporters gathered in the city's Urban Gardens to protest against what it calls "militant Islam" and "Muslim extremism", writes Channel 4 News' North of England correspondent Nick Martin, on the scene in Bradford. 
Police in riot gear held back a line of EDL supporters as some bottles and missiles were thrown at police.
On another line on the city's Market Street, some members of Unite Against Fascism, staging a counter protest, were herded back as the crowd pushed and chanted.
A march by the EDL through the city was banned by Home Secretary Theresa May last week amid fears for public safety. But a static protest was allowed to go ahead. 
Hundreds of officers have been drafted in from surrounding forces to help police the event. Many businesses have closed for the day because of the march. A number of arrests have been made so far. 
Police dogs were brought into the centre of Bradford to prevent some members of the EDL breaking a police line. More bottles have been thrown, and some members of the police have been struck.

Police erected a temporary barricade around the city’s Urban Gardens, where the EDL met. Protesters had to pass through metal detectors to gain entrance to the gardens, which only have one gate.

Bradford saw race riots in 2001 and there were concerns that the clashes today could provoke similar violence. Police handed out “consequence cards” warning that after the riots, 191 people were given prison sentences totalling more than 510 years in jail.

Nick Martin, Channel 4 News north of England correspondent said the demonstration may have completely failed to achievethe aims of the EDL leaders.

“The whole point why they [the EDL] have demonstrations is to talk to their members,” he said.

“But of course many of them were turning away, not listening, preoccupied with having scuffles with police officers.

“So maybe theEnglish Defence Leagueleadership tonight will wonder whether they actually achieved what they set out to achieve here, or whether their bad reputation has been compounded here in Bradford.”

The EDL had originally been planning to march in Bradford, but Home Secretary Theresa May issued a blanket ban on marches in the city over the Bank Holiday weekend, in the interests of public safety.

The static demonstrationsof both the EDL and Unite Against Fascismwereallowed to go ahead.

A police spokesman said: “West Yorkshire Police’s role is to facilitate peaceful protest. If anyone commits a criminal offence they will be dealt with fairly but firmly. The police will not tolerate damage to the city or acts of violence.”