Police expect to make fresh arrests over violent protests in Birmingham
Police expect to make a “significant” number of fresh arrests in a tough crackdown on the right-wing yobs and opposition protestors behind violent scenes in Birmingham.
Assistant Chief Constable Sharon Rowe said members of the English Defence League had shown their claims of wanting a peaceful protest in the city centre were false.
She pledged any future plans to demonstrate in the city centre would be met with short shrift.
Police put equal blame for the trouble on the EDL supporters and groups of youths who came to the city centre on Saturday intent on violent confrontation. Those arrested following ugly scenes in the city centre at the weekend and an earlier protest on August 8 had strict bail conditions banning them from the city centre.
Ms Rowe said the police and council would now seek to use the full force of civil laws to prevent a repeat of the trouble. A team of detectives is now analysing CCTV footage and evidence from police video crews to identify those behind the trouble and any race or religious hatred.
“We anticipate adding significantly to the total of 90 people arrested on the day,” she said.
“The EDL indicated beforehand that they wanted a peaceful protest but events have shown that not to be the case. This group will find a far less tolerant approach in place should any of its number consider a return.
