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PICTURES AND VIDEO: 200 'anti-Islamisation' protesters march in Dudley

[gallery] About 200 far right protesters from All Football Fans/Firms Against Islamisation (AFFFAI) descended on Dudley this afternoon to protest at the building of a new mosque.

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There was some jostling as police escorted the marchers towards the council house where speechers were made amid chants.

One arrest was made during the operation. A 33-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer and remains in police custody. A 50-year-old man was also detained outside Dudley Police Station to prevent a breach of the peace. He was later released without charge.

The protesters were escorted by police who said the turnout was lower than was expected.

At one point one person fell to the ground and one marcher was wearing a pig mask. One speaker claimed the protester were not 'far right' but represented 'middle Britain'.

Chief Superintendent Chris Johnson, responsible for policing in the borough. "The events were much smaller in scale than previous protests and our operational response reflected that.

"Despite claims from the organisers that there would be many more protesters attending, history has shown us that fewer people actually turn up on the day - today was no different.

"However they were a vocal crowd and were monitored closely as they made their way through the town."

Police and Crime Commissioner for the West Midlands, David Jamieson, said: "I would like to thank officers for the calm and professional manner in which they policed the protest.

"Budgets are stretched to the limit and it is disappointing that we have to use our scarce resources to police a protest in which most of the participants aren't from Dudley or even the West Midlands.

"The force have used their scarce resources to police this protest, and as a result there will have been an inevitable cost to local policing in the rest of the West Midlands and other parts of Dudley."

Councillor Judy Foster, Deputy Leader of Dudley Council, said: "Today's operation ran smoothly and thankfully there were far fewer protestors than expected.

"We have worked closely with police in the build-up and throughout today. We will continue to liaise with our police colleagues over the coming days as we recognise events like this can lead to an increase in community tension. We have a proud tradition across Dudley of people of all backgrounds getting on well and we have no doubt, this will continue to be the case.

"The majority of businesses and all council services within Dudley town centre stayed open during the protest and people still came into the town to do their shopping. However, we must not lose sight of the fact that our town and businesses have again been affected.

"Dudley Council had no legal powers to stop the protest."

Earlier, about 100 people, including Dudley North MP Ian Austin, joined a Unite Against Fascism counter protest march to Dudley Central Mosque.

The AFFFAI march is the third this year opposing plans for a new mosque in the town, following demonstrations by the English Defence League and Britain First groups.

Organisers have denied the protest will be violent and claim they merely want to exercise their right to protest.

Rolling road blocks were in place for a short period to ensure that the processions could make its way through the town safely.

All Football Fans/Firms Against Islamisation (AFFFAI) protesters in Dudley

Dudley Council made all of its town centre off-road pay and display car parks free to encourage visitors.

Earlier, Chief Inspector Phil Dolby said: "This event is different to those the town has accommodated previously. For the first time we will see two marches by two separate groups.

"As usual there are no fixed numbers but our well-rehearsed plans are flexible and we have the necessary available resources to manage any size turn-out."

Protesters demonstrating at AFFFMAI presence in the town met at the council house 10.30am for speeches before marching through New Street and up Castle Street to Dudley central mosque on Castle Hill.

AFFFMAI members met at Stafford Street car park at around 11am. From around 1pm they made their way down The Inhedge, Arsons Street and Ednam Road to Coronation gardens council house where they protested about plans for a replacement mosque in the town.

Police and Crime Commissioner for the West Midlands David Jamieson commented: "Dudley is a place where people from different backgrounds get on well together.

"The town is weary of these protests, though it must be said that West Midlands Police are used to dealing with them professionally and in a calm manner."

The Unite against Fascism counter protest

Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson added: "While the force are using their resources to police the protest there will be an inevitable cost to community policing in the rest of the West Midlands and other parts of Dudley borough."

Councillor Judy Foster, Deputy Leader of Dudley Council, said: "We have a proud tradition across Dudley of people of all backgrounds getting on well and we have no doubt, this will continue to be the case. We don't want outsiders coming into our borough trying to jeopardise this.

After today's protests, Dudley North MP Ian Austin tweeted:

There will be a post-event public meeting at 6pm on Tuesday June 23 at Dudley council house.

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