Police arrest 60 people amid clash of extremes

Published on Saturday 20 March 2010 19:34

MORE than 60 people were arrested and several injured after violent clashes broke out between around 4,000 right-wing and anti-fascist extremists yesterday.

Controversial right-wing group the English Defence League (EDL) organised the rally in the centre of Bolton. A counter-demonstration by Unite Against Fascism (UAF) left hundreds of police officers battling to keep control of the rival groups.

A police spokesman said at least 55 of the total in custody were from the UAF and nine from the EDL.

Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan, from Greater Manchester Police, who led the policing operation, said the EDL had protested by flag waving and "vitriolic name calling" but he reserved his criticism for the UAF.

He said: "We have seen groups of people, predominantly associated with the UAF, engaging in violent confrontation today in Bolton.

"It is clear to me that a large number have attended with the sole intention of committing disorder and their actions have been wholly unacceptable.

"Turning their anger onto police officers, they acted with, at times, extreme violence and their actions led to injuries to police officers, protesters and members of the public.

"The police are not and should not be the target of such violence and anger and this protest and the actions of some of the protesters is roundly condemned by GMP and by Bolton Council."

Shewan added: "I am determined to identify offenders by whatever means and bring them to justice."

Police will now be reviewing CCTV footage to identify other people involved in ithe disorder, a spokesman added.

The rival factions were meant to stay within designated areas in the town centre square, separated by steel barriers, but a large number of protesters "intent on causing disorder" broke away from the protest site, police said.

Two members of the public were injured and received medical treatment at the scene.