Police contain an earlier EDL marchChief Supt Tim Jacques, head of Preston Police, revealed the plans ahead of the demonstration by the English Defence League and counter demonstration by Unite Against Facism and the Trade Union Council. The protests coincide with the PNE v Millwall game at Deepdale.
Police officers’ days off have been cancelled and specially trained public order officers are being drafted in from other parts of the county to support the policing operation, which will see the mounted branch, road police and other units taking to city centre streets. The two groups of demonstrators will be in the city’s Flag Market with temporary low level fencing to separate them.
Today Chief Supt Jacques said it would be one of the biggest police operations seen in Preston in recent years but insisted the city was “open for business as usual” on Saturday - the fourth week before Christmas and the first official Christmas shopping weekend. He also moved to calm fears of violence that has been seen in similar demonstrations in other cities.
He said: “We are working with the community and police officers are going to be in the areas where the mosques are on Saturday to reassure people. We have had lots of meetings with the mosques and are working with the demonstration organisers in terms of minimising the impact. There are no planned demonstrations outside any mosques but it is in our minds. Our number one priority is keeping people in the city safe and to minimise disruption on a busy Saturday before Christmas.”
He said the force would be making a proportionate response to any threats and added: “There’s no doubt there will be a lot of police officers in Preston and in surrounding areas. All the information we have suggests we can facilitate two lawful and peaceful demonstrations.
“It will be one of the biggest operations seen in Preston in terms of planning but on terms of what we are dealing with it is smaller - in the past we have dealt with 6,000 Premier League fans coming into the city. We have to look at the context of where we are as a city - some of the backdrop of the places of previous demonstrations are different. Preston is a pretty cohesive city so our starting point is different to other places.”
Lancashire Evening Post
16 comments:
The Vital Football forums boast that Millwall hoolies will link up wiht Burnley supporters who are featured on the Sky Sports 5.15 match to cause riots.
They seem to think that the police won't be much trouble to the EDL, which is very likely if they heed the advice of the top copper who says the EDL are not a threat.
Remember Oldham?
Anybody going to the antinazi protest should stick together in the safety of groups.
Why the fuck wasn't the Millwall match rescheduled?
Millwall hoolies get the official fan coaches to Preston, but don't bother watching the match, but go on a racist rampage instead.
It's Millwall for fuck's sake.
They have an extremely violent fascist reputation.
If the bobbies don't keep a firm watch on the fans getting off the coaches, and don't make sure they go straight into the ground, there could be a hundred or more Millwallers running riot in Preston.
Have the local Preston bobbies been told to do as the Bolton bobbies do and be pro-EDL?
What further deals has Yaxley Lennon done to make sure he doesn't get jailed?
millwalls firm have been preparing for weeks for this occasion
Hope the Millwall fans getting off the football coaches will be searched for beer and weapons!
"All the information we have suggests we can facilitate two lawful and peaceful demonstrations".
EDL LAWFUL and PEACEFUL?
HE'S HAVIN' A LAUGH!!!
Thankfully the thickoes of the EDL have not registered (as yet) as a political party and do not qualify for free political broadcasts.
Just as well, as with the Daily Star supporting them, they would have retained many of their deposits and would have been treated more favourably by the BBC and ITN also, and free mailshots which would have caused lots of damage to our society.
Yes, they are causing trouble on the streets, but thankfully they have not and will not become part of the political fabric of the United Kingdom.
No matter how much the "tits and arse" Star tries, these nonentity racist streetfighters will always be on the outside of society with no chance of claiming to represent people at the ballot box.
Hopefully we can all sleep easier in this knowledge.
Why is the edl website down?
Not paid their bills?
I find the comments tarring Milwall fans as racist as abhorrent. Is this not endorsing the kind of fascist behaviour of blaming the many for the acts of a few that you so roundly condemn?
"Thankfully the thickoes of the EDL have not registered (as yet) as a political party and do not qualify for free political broadcasts. Just as well, as with the Daily Star supporting them, they would have retained many of their deposits.."
How do you know? I had never thought that the path to political credibility in this country is the support of the Daily Star. The EDL is just a bunch of pissed-up hooligans who are unlikely to get the approval of anyone who isn't a pissed-up hooligan. Daily Star readers probably don't vote in large numbers anyway. Too busy servicing themselves.
xray said...
Why the fuck wasn't the Millwall match rescheduled?
Er, why the fuck did the thick plod allow the (non-racist, fluffy) EDL to march on the day of a home match with Millwall....
....I used to hate all the conspiracy stuff about various right wing groups being state sponsored, but it does make you wonder how this was allowed to go ahead..... or am I just covering up for coppers stupidity? (or need for lots of overtime payments)?
I find the comments tarring Milwall fans as racist as abhorrent. Is this not endorsing the kind of fascist behaviour of blaming the many for the acts of a few that you so roundly condemn?
Exactly. Calling football supporters the natural bedfellows of the far-right ignores the work that has been done by football fans themselves and also encourages them to sympathise with the EDL.
We are more than ready for you pussies...keep watching the coaches ;)
Hope you like the calling cards.
MILLWALL SLASHERS
ttfn
"I find the comments tarring Milwall fans as racist as abhorrent. Is this not endorsing the kind of fascist behaviour of blaming the many for the acts of a few that you so roundly condemn?"
You obviously haven't bothered to read the "EDL In Preston" theads on Vital Football.
There is much planning of racist and violent acts on the Millwall forum.
If you don't believe, take a look, Troll!
The Millwall forums are sickening.
Obviously not moderated to the extent they have been cheerleaders for the EDL.
Please delete the EDL's vile death threats, Ketlan!
The Millwall forums are sickening.
As frequented by the awful Rod 'monkeymfc' Liddle:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/jan/22/rod-liddle-quip-auschwitz-millwall
Wonder if he'll be in Preston?
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