Telford child sex abuse: EDL urged to stay away from town
Community leaders in Telford say they will rally together to oppose plans by the English Defence League to march on the town.
The far right group has organised a march in Telford for May 12. They say it is after the extent of child sexual exploitation was revealed in the town.
But opponents say the march will do nothing for the victims and will damage the community – and they have urged the EDL to stay away from the town.
Police today confirmed they were aware of the planned march and talks were planned to ensure the day remains peaceful.
The EDL was last in Telford in December 2016. That visit came five years after the group was banned from staging a protest in Telford by then Home Secretary Theresa May.
The group has targeted the town following the police’s Operation Chalice, which revealed how vulnerable girls were being abused. Further allegations have led to the launching of the Truth Project in the town, part of the UK-wide Jay Inquiry.
'Damage'
Telford councillor Pat McCarthy said: “This is bad for everybody. It does real damage. What they do is divide our community up, and they will not achieve anything apart from causing discord. They will do nothing for the girls who are victims.”
A letter signed by Methodist leader Reverend Rachel Parkinson said such marches risked dividing the country even more.
She said: “This demonstration risks bringing greater division where genuine dialogue and hospitality would lead to healing and reconciliation.”
Details on where the march will be held have not yet been announced, but police say they will ensure enough officers are in place to ensure the safety of the public.
The event follows the visit to Telford last Friday by more than 100 supporters of the Democratic Football Lads Alliance over child sexual abuse concerns.
Supt Tom Harding of West Mercia Police said: “We will make sure there are sufficient officers on duty to ensure safety.”
