Shropshire Star

EDL disruption to be kept to a minimum during Wellington march, police pledge

Disruption will be kept to a minimum during the Wellington march of the English Defence League this weekend, West Mercia Police has said.

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The EDL's last march through the town

Extra officers will be in the streets to help keep things calm during the pre-planned protest by the far right group on Saturday afternoon.

A counter protest and an anti-racism fair will also be taking place in the town.

The EDL will be marching through the town for its first national demonstration of the year. It marched through Wellington in May last year, in the wake of national reports about child sexual exploitation in Telford.

About 50 marchers and 40 counter-protesters turned out on that occasion.

Superintendent Paul Moxley has recently taken over as the local policing commander for Telford and will be overseeing the policing operation on Saturday.

Reassurance

He said: “We’re well equipped to deal with such events and have plans in place to make sure disruption is kept to an absolute minimum for people in Wellington.

"You may see extra officers in the town but people shouldn’t be alarmed about this.

"They’re primarily there to offer reassurance and speak to local people about any concerns they may have and I would urge people to stop and speak to them if they have any concerns.”

A multi-faith fair is being planned to take place at the same time as the EDL march through Wellington

Anti-racists will hold their event celebrating the diversity of Wellington alongside the march.

As part of the anti-racism fair, there will be music, stalls and speakers in Wellington town centre from 11am.

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