Supporters of the far right group, which opposes what it describes as the rise of militant Islam, have been involved in violent confrontations with anti-fascist campaigners at events across England in recent months. There were fears of a repeat today, prompting a large-scale police operation to keep the EDL protest and a counter-demonstration organised by the Peterborough Trades Union Council apart. Around 1,000 EDL supporters gathered at a site close to Peterborough United Football Club's ground to hear a speech by the group's founder Tommy Robinson, who is also known as Stephen Lennon. A large police presence as they dispersed helped to nullify the threat of large-scale disorder, but there were a small number of minor skirmishes. Two people were arrested for possessing an offensive weapon, two on suspicion of assaulting police officers, two for affray and a further five for minor public order offences. Superintendent Paul Fullwood of Cambridgeshire Police said the operation to protect the public, which involved more than 1,000 officers, had been a great success. 'Peterborough stood firm and the city should be proud of the way it has responded to today's events,' he said. 'There were some issues of disorder dealt with promptly and professionally to achieve a peaceful outcome. Some arrests have been made, but both protests have been generally peaceful.'
Metro
