Rotherham – a town under siege

Doreen Heath of Quay Furniture, a member of the traders’ group Rotherham Voice, said after the latest march on Saturday: “I took no money at all — there was a massive police presence all day from 10am, which was very intimidating.”

Police said they had no power to stop the demonstration — the latest in a series led by the likes of the English Defence League following Prof Alexis Jay’s damning report on child sex abuse in Rotherham — but said they had worked closely with businesses and the community to maintain “business as usual”.

But Doreen said: “How can it be business as usual? We feel as though we are under siege when these demonstrations take place.

“Saturday should be our best day but we had no sales or orders, there was a massive police presence all day which was very intimidating. 

“A couple from out of town said if they’d known there was going to be a demonstration they wouldn’t have come into Rotherham.  

“The road was closed off for over an hour and no one could get in or out of our premises.

“It’s not a demonstration it’s organised hooliganism.

“The money spent on policing would be better spent investigating the issues the ‘demonstrators’ are supposed to be protesting about.”

South Yorkshire Police, who drafted large numbers of extra officers, made ten arrests during Saturday’s march by around 100 members of more than 20 right-wing and fascist groups, including the National Front, North West Infidels and South Eastern Alliance.

An umbrella group, calling themselves Magna Carta Liberatum, assembled at the Bridge Inn from 10am, claiming to be protesting against Rotherham Borough Council’s attempts to get marches banned and restrictions imposed.

An Advertiser newspaper seller said she had left the town centre in fear after “an EDL member” told her it would be “kicking off, with bottles and glass being thrown”.

Rotherham Unite Against Fascism and the Celebrate and Support Rotherham group staged a unity vigil addressed by faith leaders, trades unionists and councillors in All Saints’ Square at the same time as the march, which was kept away from the square by police.

A police spokeswoman said the arrests included offences including breach of the peace, drunk and disorderly and possession with intent to supply class B drugs. A number of dispersal notices were also issued.

There was no damage and no injuries, but two people attended hospital with breathing difficulties.

Gold Commander, Chief Supt Jason Harwin, said: “It has been another challenging day for Rotherham and a challenging day for all of the officers involved.

“We are acutely aware of the impact such marches have on the residents of Rotherham.

“While everyone has a right to a peaceful protest, today demonstrates that when that protest stops being peaceful and moves into criminal activity we will take the necessary action.”

The protesters gathered at the Town Hall for speeches, having previously marched along the canalbank from Rotherham Central Station to Main Street, before heading up Ship Hill.

Afterwards, a post on the Magna Carta Facebook page said it had been a “successful demonstration despite police provocation”, adding: “Thanks to all that attended — we will be back!”

Liam Harron, from Celebrate and Support Rotherham, who objected to a notice issued by police and the council describing the All Saints’ Square vigil by 40 people as a “counter-protest”, said: “We’re offering a voice of hope and not a voice of despair, which is what this group that have come to Rotherham today are offering.”