Protest restrictions "reduced impact on town centre shops"

STOPPING far right protesters marching through the town centre and restricting the number of people involved reduced the impact on traders’ takings, says a business owner.

Chris Paston, owner of Things That Boys Like in High Street, said trade was around 50 per cent down on Saturday compared to during previous demos which had caused a hit of up to 95 per cent.

Mr Paston said: “We are always concerned when there’s going to be a protest.

“But it was not something that set us back, it didn’t depress us, we just get on with it.

“We were aware it was a smaller one this time so that made life a bit easier in terms of preparing.

“We were disappointed to see it going ahead again, but it’s not the end of the world.”

Demonstrators were given restrictions on the size, timing and location of their protests.

The EDL demo — held in part as a response to the Rotherham 12 campaign to clear the names of a dozen Asian men charged with violence on Wellgate after a Britain First protest in September — took place in the Bridge Street area near Rotherham Central station, while a counter-protest by Rotherham Unite Against Facism (UAF) was based on nearby Masbrough Street.

More than 400 police officers from 15 forces were drafted in.

Seven people were arrested for offences including possession of a class A drug, possession of a bladed article and being drunk and disorderly.

British Transport Police said those arrested included four people from Bradford suspected of racially aggravated section 5 public order offences, among whom were a man and woman also arrested for possession of a bladed article.

All four have been bailed until May 10 pending further enquiries.

In addition, 43 were ordered to leave the area within the inner ring road for a 24-hour period.

It was the 21st far right protest in South Yorkshire since October 2012 — the 15th in Rotherham.

Policing costs have now topped £4 million.

Armed police were stationed in the area around Swinton railway station to monitor protesters attending Saturday’s demonstration.

A police spokeswoman confirmed officers were based near the Station pub after reports EDL supporters had alighted from trains there.