NEARLY 500 English Defence League protesters turned up for a march in Dewsbury town centre.
Police and faith groups throughout Huddersfield urged North Kirklees residents to stay away from Dewsbury Town Hall ahead of the rally.
But with strict enforcement in operation, police confirmed a “peaceful passing of the static demonstration”.
A councillor said the march had cost the Dewsbury and wider economy around £500,000, through the policing operation and cost to the council and traders hit by a lack of business as shoppers stayed away from the town centre.
Police said that around 450 English Defence League (EDL) protesters turned up with around 50 members of opposing groups Unite Against Fascism (UAF) and Trades Union Congress (TUC).
Kirklees police Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent David Lunn thanked partner agencies, the organisers of the demonstrations and people in Kirklees.
Chief Supt Lunn said: “We are pleased to say that Saturday’s events have passed without incident and that disruption to Dewsbury was kept to a minimum, with the town returning to normal as soon as possible.
“I would like to thank the community, our partners in the council and other agencies and the event organisers themselves, with whom we have worked tirelessly to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all concerned throughout the day.
“Approximately 450 EDL demonstrators attended, along with approximately 50 counter-demonstrators, mainly from the UAF and TUC.
“There have so far been five arrests for minor incidents.
“I am very proud of the community response to the events.
“This helped enable the protests to pass peacefully, safely and without serious incident.
“The feedback we have received from the public and local businesses has been very favourable, which is pleasing as they have always been at the forefront of our considerations as we planned the response to today’s events.”
The EDL say they stand up for “patriotic people” who are “fed up with Islamic extremism, Islamism and our governments’ spineless inability to address the issues”.
Chairman of Kirklees Faith Forum Bishop Tony Robinson released a statement before the rally which read: “As faith communities in Kirklees we condemn the action of all who seek to divide and sow the seeds of distrust between our communities.
“In particular we deplore, in the strongest terms, the activities of the EDL, directed against our Muslim brothers and sisters.
“We also affirm that the EDL’s use of the Christian religion to support their perspective is a blasphemous misinterpretation of the Christian Gospel.”
Clr Mehboob Khan, leader of Kirklees Council, said the EDL could use other methods of publicising their views without “damaging a fragile economy”.
“From discussions with the police and other agencies I believe it cost £500,000, in policing costs, standby for the fire service, ambulance service, the costs to the council and then the loss of income for the traders.
“It’s been twice in 14 months the Dewsbury traders have had to deal with this and it isn’t fair on them.
“There are other ways for organisations to raise their concerns other than damaging a fragile economy, which is what they’ve done.
“I was heartened that the people of Dewsbury stayed away, their (the EDL’s) propaganda of lies and hatred doesn’t resonate with people from this area.”
Clr Khan called on the EDL to compensate the traders hit by the loss.
