Scores arrested in UK clashes

21 Mar 2010, 11:00 am   -   Source: AAP, SBS Staff
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Police hold back anti-fascist protesters from clashing with the English Defence League. (AP/PA)

Police hold back anti-fascist protesters from clashing with the English Defence League. (AP/PA)

Police in northwest England say they arrested 67 people following violent clashes between right-wing and anti-fascist demonstrators.

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British Police say they've arrested 67 people after anti-fascist demonstrators reacted angrily to a march by the English Defence League in the multi-cultural town of Bolton.

Thousands of people joined a rally on Saturday in the city of Bolton organised by the English Defence League (EDL), which has held numerous protests in recent months against Islamic extremism in Britain.

A counter-demonstration was organised by Unite Against Fascism (UAF) and police blamed these protesters for most of the violence, noting that at least 55 of those arrested were from the UAF and nine from the EDL.

EDL supporters were told by organisers not to react to goading from the UAF, the BBC reported.

"Today in Bolton we have seen groups of people, predominantly associated with the UAF, engaging in violent confrontation," said Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan of Greater Manchester Police.

"It is clear to me that a large number have attended with the sole intention of committing disorder and their actions have been wholly unacceptable.

The leader of Bolton Council had requested that the British home secretary ban the EDF's rally earlier in the week, but the request was declined.

At the peak of the protest there were 2,000 far-right protesters in the square, and about 1500 anti-fascists, police said.

The EDF describes itself as a non-political, peaceful group opposed to what it calls militant Islam.

Two members of the public were hurt by protesters and two police officers were given hospital treatment, one for a fractured finger and another for a dog bite, police said.

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