Shrewsbury demonstration passes off without major incident

A Shrewsbury protest attended by the leader of a far-right party passed off without major incident.

Today (October 31) saw the latest demonstration organised by the Raise the Flags Shrewsbury Plus group - the sixth in recent months.

Some 35 police officers were present in the Quarry as around 70 members of the group gathered near the Quarry Fitness and Swimming Centre from around 12.30pm, where they were addressed by several speakers including Paul Golding, the leader of Britain First.

A counter protest organised by Stand up to Racism Shropshire and Telford attracted up to 100 people.

Unlike in one of the previous protests earlier this year, the groups were separated by a significant distance.

There was a brief flare up as the counter protest advanced towards the demonstrators, chanting “there are many, many more of us than you”, but the incident was quickly defused by police.

As Mr Golding addressed the crowd the counter protesters made efforts to drown him out, chanting “we know you’re a fascist through and through”, resulting in chants of “leftist scum” being directed back across the park.

The event was met with bemused looks from residents and visitors to the Quarry who stumbled across the protesters while out for an autumn stroll.

After around an hour the flag demonstrators marched from the Quarry, through the town centre towards Abbey Foregate.

There was one further flashpoint where the marchers were confronted by a man as they made their way past the Market Hall, leading to police bundling him out of the way and holding him against the building as it threatened to boil over.

Again the incident was quickly defused and the group, which had been marching to Land of Hope and Glory on loud speakers, and chanting “shove your Palestine up your a***” and “Andy Burnham’s a w*****” continued through the town.

West Mercia Police issued a statement following the demonstration, saying: “A protest taking place in Shrewsbury today has now concluded.

“Officers were in the area throughout the event and worked with organisers and partners to support a safe gathering for those attending and the wider community.

“We thank members of the public, businesses and visitors for their patience and co-operation.