This is South Devon -- Officers from South Devon were believed to be part of a massive police operation in the centre of Exeter today. Around 200 EDL supporters gathered in the city centre ahead of what it described as a national demonstration. Amid a heavy police presence, they drank outside a city pub ahead of a march to a city park for a rally. Hundreds of people were also in the the city centre to oppose the march. Estimates suggested there were about 225 EDL participants and 700 campaigners from Exeter Together. It was reported that people from as far away as Bristol joined the anti EDL group.Leading figures - including MP Ben Bradshaw and Dean of Exeter Cathedral the Very Revd Jonathan Draper - have joined residents, community groups, councillors and trade unions in supporting an earlier counter march and rally to celebrate the city's cultural heritage. Large parts of the city centre were affected by the activity, although the marches were not expected to clash. Some 250 officers from other parts of the country including Birmingham have been drafted in by Devon and Cornwall Police, in anticipation of a "large" EDL march. South Wales' mounted police unit, known for their horseback patrol of specialist activities ranging from sporting matches to riots, were providing the most visible officer presence. A police spokesman said: "We respect the right to peaceful protest. But if people overstep the mark, we will deal with them accordingly and robustly." Congestion was expected in the city centre between 11am and 2pm, but police stressed it would otherwise remain 'business as usual'.i
Reported by This is 14 hours ago.
This is South Devon -- Officers from South Devon were believed to be part of a massive police operation in the centre of Exeter today. Around 200 EDL supporters gathered in the city centre ahead of what it described as a national demonstration. Amid a heavy police presence, they drank outside a city pub ahead of a march to a city park for a rally. Hundreds of people were also in the the city centre to oppose the march. Estimates suggested there were about 225 EDL participants and 700 campaigners from Exeter Together. It was reported that people from as far away as Bristol joined the anti EDL group.Leading figures - including MP Ben Bradshaw and Dean of Exeter Cathedral the Very Revd Jonathan Draper - have joined residents, community groups, councillors and trade unions in supporting an earlier counter march and rally to celebrate the city's cultural heritage. Large parts of the city centre were affected by the activity, although the marches were not expected to clash. Some 250 officers from other parts of the country including Birmingham have been drafted in by Devon and Cornwall Police, in anticipation of a "large" EDL march. South Wales' mounted police unit, known for their horseback patrol of specialist activities ranging from sporting matches to riots, were providing the most visible officer presence. A police spokesman said: "We respect the right to peaceful protest. But if people overstep the mark, we will deal with them accordingly and robustly." Congestion was expected in the city centre between 11am and 2pm, but police stressed it would otherwise remain 'business as usual'.i
Reported by This is 14 hours ago.