140 officers policed EDL protest march in Wellington

Around 50 EDL supporters took part in the protest at the Market Square in Wellington town centre on May 12, while 40 people gathered for a counter protest.

It was held in response to a recent investigation into child sex exploitation in the town and passed smoothly without incident.

However, the full cost of the protest to the taxpayer has not been revealed.

In response to a freedom of information request, West Mercia Police said: "The cost for the force`s officers to police the EDL march is not held separately to the cost for payment of their usual duties."

But the force did reveal that about 140 officers had been deployed for this purpose, at various times during the day.

West Mercia Police also revealed that £2,785.60 had been spent on operational catering costs.

A further £1,981.50 was spent on the mounted section from South Yorkshire, £210 on the hire of Ercall Wood Technology College and £100 on portable toilet hire.

Telford Superintendent Tom Harding said the right to a peaceful protest was a democratic right which police do not have the power to ban.

He also said public safety was the "utmost priority" and it would have been important to respond to any eventuality.

Superintendent Harding said: “It is only if there is compelling evidence beforehand that there is a real threat of violent disorder and threat to public safety that an application can be made to the Home Secretary for an order prohibiting the event going ahead and on this occasion there were no legal grounds for this to happen.

"Our role is very much to act in a neutral capacity to facilitate a lawful and peaceful protest and we will ensure we provide a proportionate police response to ensure minimum disruption to our local communities.

“There was an increased police presence in Wellington on the day and people may think this was unnecessary but public safety is our utmost priority and it is important we were able to respond appropriately to any eventuality.

"It’s also important to recognise Wellington is a small town and events such as this have a huge impact and it is important our communities know we are there to keep them safe.”

Police had also closed some roads in the town for a short while on the day to ensure public safety.