Police urge public not to take part in counter-demonstrations (From The Bolton News)

Police urge public not to take part in counter-demonstrations

8:55am Thursday 11th March 2010 in

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GREATER Manchester’s top police officer has urged the people of Bolton not to be provoked into taking part in counter-demonstrations when the English Defence League visits the town.

Chief Constable Peter Fahy said a huge amount of planning and preparation is being undertaken by police ahead of the planned EDL rally on March 20.

He said he understood why some residents might be nervous, but said his officers were working around the clock.

“The best thing to do is not to be provoked and not to come into the town on that particular day. I want to reassure people that we are going to do everything we can to respect the right to protest, but at the same time we will take robust action with anybody that we feel is being offensive, abusive, threatening or is committing any form of public order offence from whichever side they come,” said Ch Con Fahy.

His comments echo those of Bolton’s top cop, Chief Superintendent Steve Hartley who said police have been working with council colleagues and members of the community as they plan for the rally.

Ch Con Fahy said: “There’s huge preparation. And it’s preparation very much in co-operation with the council and other agencies, but very importantly with the local people.

“We’ve obviously got experience of dealing with the protest in Manchester and we have also picked up experience from other forces that have had the English Defence League turn up so it is a huge operation. The key thing is talking to local people and really trying to encourage them not to come into the town on that day because it’s only probably going to make the situation more difficult.”

Cllr Paul Murphy, chairman of the Greater Manchester Police Authority, added: “Bolton in my view is like many of the districts and boroughs of Greater Manchester.

“It’s a place of tolerance. It’s a place where multi-ethnicity is celebrated.”