Business suffers as National Front rallies

Around 30 members of the far right group gathered outside the Civic Building in Walker Place from 11am, carrying flags and banners.

Around 800 police were posted in central Rotherham to monitor protesters.

Officers closed roads leading to All Saints’ Square, where more than 300 Unite Against Fascism supporters met in response to the rally.

Chief Supt Jason Harwin said: “South Yorkshire Police and Rotherham Council's primary purpose was to protect the public and we have done just that.

“Our policing response meant there was no damage in the town centre and we did protect our communities, this is evident with there being no arrests in relation to the demonstrations.”

He added: “We would like to thank members of the public for their support of the policing carried out in the town centre.”

UAF members marched to Walker Place at around 12pm, by which time the NF supporters had dispersed.

Karl Battersby, Rotherham Borough Council’s strategic director of environment and development services, said: “This has been an unwanted distraction for all those who have the best interests of local people and our town centre at heart.

“It was essential that both the police and the Council put the necessary measures in place to maintain public order and keep people safe, and I’m pleased to say that once more, disruption was kept to a minimum.”

Addressing shopkeepers’ concerns about lost business, he added: “The impact on our businesses, who have worked so hard to buck the national trend and to bring life back to our town centre, has been significant.

“It's critical that we return to ‘business as usual’ and support our shops in the town centre, so that we don't lose the momentum that has been building over recent months.”