Protestors arrested at BNP festival

12 April 2012

Thirty-three demonstrators protesting against a BNP festival were arrested following clashes with police.

Riot police were called in after 40 anti-fascist protesters dressed in black tried to barricade a road to prevent BNP members reaching their annual Red, White and Blue (RWB) festival.

They pelted riot police with stones before officers, armed with batons and supported by dogs moved in to quell the violence.

The outbreak took place close to a farmer's field in Denby, Derbyshire, where about 2,500 BNP members had gathered for their annual festival.

Derbyshire Constabulary said they arrested six people for violent disorder at the scene. Further arrests were made later in nearby Heanor. There were no serious casualties although one officer suffered minor injuries.

Peter Goodman, assistant chief constable of Derbyshire Constabulary, said 250 officers were used in the operation.

He said: "A small number of people who were not part of the main group seemed intent on causing problems. Officers responded quickly and effectively to minimise inconvenience to local people and those attending the RWB event.

"I acknowledge there were delays for road users travelling between Codnor and Loscoe but the illegal actions of the protesters who blocked the road made those delays inevitable."

The main rally against the BNP took place in the nearby village of Codnor.

It was organised by Unite Against Fascism and included members of the TUC and Unison. Bob Crow, general secretary of the RMT, was also at the rally, which police said was attended by 400 people.

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