Arrests at English Defence League protest in Rotherham

SIX people were arrested at the 17th far-right protest to be held in Rotherham town centre since 2012 on Saturday.
By Sam Cooper
Published 27th Feb 2017, 09:48 BST
Updated 27th Feb 2017, 12:40 BST
Members of the English Defence League make their way up Main StreetMembers of the English Defence League make their way up Main Street
Members of the English Defence League make their way up Main Street

South Yorkshire Police said around 120 members of the English Defence League took part in a march and around 140 people took part in a Rotherham Unite Against Fascism counter-demonstration in Minster Gardens.

District Commander for Rotherham Chief Supt Rob Odell said six people were arrested on suspicion of a range of offences including being drunk and disorderly, public order, homophobic chanting, two on suspicion of inciting racial hatred and breach of a dispersal order. 

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He added a number of people were served with a dispersal order under Section 35 of the Police and Crime Act 2014 — which orders them to leave the town centre for up to 48 hours.

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    Chief Supt Odell said: “Those coming to Rotherham to protest are required to abide by the rules of the protest. Those who choose not to will be dispersed from the town centre or arrested. 

    “Repeated protests are a burden on both Rotherham and the force — the town experiences lost business opportunities and communities feel intimidated and concerned to enter the town centre.

    “The policing resources used to manage a demonstration take valuable officers and specially trained staff away from investigating crime and serious incidents.”