One arrest as English Defence League returns to Walsall
Police made one arrest as the English Defence League returned to Walsall on Saturday.
Members of the far-right group rolled into the town to hold a demonstration but their visit passed without major incident.
Around 100 EDL members marched into St Paul's Square shortly after 1pm, chanting and waving flags, bringing them into direct conflict with an anti-racism group which was holding an event outside St Paul's Church.
A line of police officers formed to keep the two groups apart.
There were some unsavoury scenes as people on both sides of the police line confronted each other but aside from a couple of beer cans thrown from the EDL side, the animosity stretched only to insults and hand gestures.
There were no signs of violence which had overshadowed previous visits by the group.
EDL speakers roused the crowd, delivering messages on 'Muslim grooming gangs' and terrorism.
The only arrest was that of a 36-year-old man on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence.
The protesters remained in the square for around an hour before marching along Darwall Street and through the town centre, moving on to Bridge Street and Bradford Street.
There was a moment when violence threatened to break out when a group of locals made their feelings towards the EDL known as they made their way down Bradford Street, but police managed to keep them apart.
Concerns were raised about how close the EDL were allowed to get to the anti-racism We Are Walsall event being held at the church.
Walsall Council leader Sean Coughlan said the group had ignored a designated assembly point for them to hold their protest.
He said: "I'm disappointed the demonstration of the EDL has taken place. It is not representative of Walsall.
"You can tell from the people speaking that they are not from round here.
"It's disappointing people want to come and case problems. When they leave they won't give Walsall a second thought.
"Our major concern was they were going to cause major disruption for the town and for shoppers but that hasn't happened."
Reverend Mark Kinder, from St Paul's Church, who helped organise the We Are Walsall event, said: "We are an integrated community of different faiths living together in harmony trying to get on with each other."
Superintendent Andy Beard, from West Midlands Police, said: "We have a duty to positively police the fundamental right of peaceful protest and worked hard to ensure there was minimal impact on business as usual in the town centre.
"There has been a highly visible police presence to respond to any issues and provide ongoing reassurance to everyone in the town.
"We held extensive discussions with representatives of both groups right until the start of the demonstrations. It was clear both were committed to their locations and our policing plans were implemented to ensure events took place safely."
