Police hold 12 as protesters clash

TWELVE arrests were made yesterday during clashes between the English Defence League and opposing groups in Blackburn.

About 2,000 EDL supporters gathered for their protest near King George's Hall on Northgate, according to police.

Opposing protesters, who were kept about 490ft away, said their gathering was a celebration of multi-culturalism.

Some fireworks were reportedly thrown at officers, who contained a group of youths in the counter-protest which attracted around 500 people.

The 12 arrests included one person who was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer.

Others were arrested on suspicion of offences including breach of the peace, affray, being drunk and disorderly and using threatening words or behaviour.

English Defence League spokesman Tony Curtis blamed the fracas on a more extreme splinter group. "Once we got rid of the troublemakers it got better. It was a good demonstration," he said.

Speaking ahead of the event, Ch Supt Bob Eastwood said any violence or damage would not be tolerated and described policing the demonstrations as Lancashire Police's biggest-ever operation. The force said it had been necessary to restrict numbers to 3,000 from each side for the "safety of the community".

Hundreds of police, along with mounted officers and steel barriers, kept the two sides apart in areas away from the general public.

Some roads were closed during the event and a number of smaller traders in the town centre remained closed.