English Defence League stages Telford protest over child sex exploitation

Many protesters were draped in the flag of St George and others carried posters and banners spreading the group's message.

Following Saturday's protests, which included a counter demonstration in Telford Town Park, West Mercia Police has said three men had been arrested.

One man in his 20s was arrested for breach of the peace and being drunk and disorderly.

A man in his 40s was held for breach of the peace while another man in his 20s was arrested for failing to comply with a dispersal order. It is not known which demonstration those arrested attended.

English Defence League protest in Telford - as it happened

Superintendent Tom Harding said: "We have been engaging with the protesters and counter protesters to ensure the event was safe for those taking part and the local community.

"I would like to thank the public in Telford for their help and support today and for assisting with our policing operation."

The English Defence League headed to Telford to protest over the level of child sex exploitation in the town after it was named as the child sex capital in the UK, with the highest number of recorded crimes of that nature for any town or city in the country.

A large police presence was in place as the group marched from Hall Park Car Park to the front of Malinsgate Police Station where the speakers addressed the rally.

Mounted police officers and dozens on foot were in attendance to ensure the protest passed peacefully.

There were two brief flash points when counter protestors managed to get near to the EDL group and when police began issuing dispersal notices to a separate splinter group, calling themselves the Pie and Mash Squad, who were not part of the pre-planned demonstration.

One of the organisers of the EDL march, who only wanted to be known as Matty P, said the group wanted to bring the issue of Muslim grooming gangs to the attention of the public.

He said: "The grooming gangs are happening all over the country.

"We want people to believe us. We are not here to cause trouble but to open people's eyes.

"We are trying to highlight the issues and what is going on.

"I am pleased with how it has gone and the police have been good.

"I support Lucy Allan and I want an inquiry into the issue. We want to get the message out there and get people to know what is happening.

"If there was no problem we would not need to be here."

Roads were closed to allow the EDL march to reach the police station. Protestors chanted anti-Islam songs and so-called patriot songs on the way. There were also some anti-police songs.

A counter demonstration was held at the same time in Telford Town Park. Its organiser Andy Brown, from the Shropshire and Telford Trades Union Council, said his event was all about showing unity among the people of Telford.

He said: "The aim for us was wanting to bring people together and promote unity.

"We believe the vast majority of people living in Telford get on well together and we wanted to celebrate that.

"We don't agree with the EDL's cynical exploitation of a serious issue that all right-minded people are against. Nobody supports child sex exploitation and we believe the full force of the law should be used against these people whatever their race and religion."