A RING of steel has been placed around Victoria Square in preparation for today's controversial English Defence League rally.

Police had a “substantial and significant” police presence in town last night.

Police are estimating about 1,500 supporters from each side will descend on Bolton. Organisers from the EDL and UAF are both claiming that number will be much higher.

Barriers, similar to ones used at pop concerts and music festivals, will separate the two rival groups while taller fencing will provide a shield to shoppers around the square.

Scaffolding around the Town Hall has also been boarded up to stop people climbing it during the demo.

Chief Supt Gerry Donnellan said planning for the rally had been meticulous.

He said: “We will be doing everything we can to ensure that it is business as usual but there will be disruptions. It will be difficult to say when the events will start because what you will see is a steady build-up throughout the morning.

“There is a time at which the EDL have agreed to (finish their protest) but these are always subject to some delays. It’s about negotiating with all sides and if we can keep that dialogue open then I feel we have the best chance of a positive outcome.”

Chief Supt Donnellan also pointed to the success in policing an EDL rally in Manchester in October. He said: “We had 50 arrests which may seem a high number but it was because we had control of the situation. From where I am sitting, Manchester was a huge success.”

A number of taxi drivers have already said they will not be working from 6pm tonight until 6am on Sunday and some town centre pubs have announced they will be closing.

Many businesses in the town centre have said they are keeping their options open.

But Chief Supt Donnellan said: “That is not at the request of the police.”

Metal detection arches, similar to those used at airports, will also be in operation at Bolton train station tomorrow.

Passengers will be encouraged to walk through them with a team of officers from British Transport Police on hand to apprehend anyone found with a knife or any other offensive weapon.

It is part of Operation Shield, which will also be under way at Piccadilly Station in Manchester.

Supt Peter Mason, who is overseeing the operation, said: “Everyone has the right to feel safe when using the railway. Operation Shield is one tactic we employ to detect and deter those who seek to carry offensive weapons and negatively impact on those feelings of safety.”

Last night, the EDL organisers maintained they wanted the protest to pass off peacefully.

David Johnson, North West organiser, said: “We have been working with police and they have been very helpful. There will be measures in place to protect not only our members, but the general public.

“If there was a way that we could sit at home and get the Government to act upon our concerns then we would do that. But there is not and this presents the best chance of getting our message across to the media and a wider audience.”