IN PICTURES and VIDEO: Nine arrests as EDL protesters descend on Walsall

Around 160 members of the far-right group descended on the town over claims that Walsall has a child exploitation problem - although police have said those claims are 'simply untrue' - and that there are areas in the town where non-Muslims are not allowed to go.

Originally 500 had said they would attend the march.

The protesters met at The Oak Inn in Green Lane, before beginning their march at 1pm.

They moved south through the town to Townend Street and on to the New Art Gallery where they gathered for around an hour while speeches were made, before beginning to disperse around 2.30pm.

As well as the EDL march there has also been a celebration of Walsall's diversity, with an event organised by local people and community groups called 'We Are Walsall' outside St Paul's church.

A man, aged 30, from Palfrey was arrested at 11.20am in Wolverhampton Road and a 33-year-old woman from Tyne & Wear arrested in Stafford Street – both for public order matters – while a 59-year-old Tipton man was detained for being drunk and disorderly.

Four other local males – two aged 17, one aged 18 and another aged 20 – were arrested in Stafford Road to prevent a breach of the peace; they were not part of the EDL protest.

Two other men were arrested after a car was damaged.

There were no reports of serious disorder, injuries or damage to property.

Walsall Police Chief Inspector Martin Hurcomb, said: "We have been planning the policing operation for months… The collective effort of police, Walsall Council, partners agencies and community groups have helped ensure the protest passed off without major incident.

"We were confident the rally would be peaceful: our negotiations with EDL organisers were very positive and they stressed their intentions to express their views without resorting to disorder.

"The disruption to the town centre was kept to a minimum and, though a handful of pubs chose to shut and some retailers boarded windows as a precaution, most of the town centre was open for business as usual.

"Local officers have been meeting regularly with organisers, councillors, business leaders, community representatives and others to share information on the protest.

"I appreciate there was concern in the build-up to the rally but I hope we were able to reassure people plans were in place to deal with any eventuality and that we were confident there wouldn't be the kind of serious disorder that marred the EDL's visit in 2012."

West Midlands Police & Crime Commissioner David Jamieson, said: "The police have done a professional job keeping the people of Walsall safe and maintaining normality as much as possible."

And Walsall Council Leader, Councillor Mike Bird, added: "I'm pleased to say that, by and large, the demonstration passed by without much incident and without too much disruption to the town thanks to the coordinated efforts of the police and our staff. I'd like to thank everybody for their efforts. We have a strong, vibrant town built on the hard work of our diverse community. Walsall will not be divided by these events."

Police continue to patrol Walsall.