A protest by the English Defence League and a counter-demonstration passed off largely peacefully in Blackburn today after a huge police operation.
Lancashire Police prepared for its biggest ever policing operation around the protests, taking place either end of Northgate separated by steel barriers.
The EDL protest started at 12.45pm around King George's Hall, Northgate, and finished at around 1.45pm. Blackburn with Darwen Against Racism's counter-demonstration in Sudell Cross began at 1pm and finished at 3pm.
Numbers were limited to 3,000 for each protest. However, police estimate 2,000 supporters of the EDL gathered and around 500 people at the Blackburn with Darwen United Against Racism counter-protest.
12 arrests were made for offences such as breach of peace, police assault, assault, drunk and disorderly, threatening behaviour, affray and obstruction.
Roads were closed and shops and pubs shut, with a large area of the town centre a no-go area for much of today. Other areas of central Blackburn were largely deserted. A heavy police presence remains in town in case there are any outbreaks of trouble.
Pubs re-opened at 4pm, ahead of the Arsenal and Blackburn Rovers match which is live on television.
The Lancashire Telegraph provided live updates from the protests.
Lancashire Telegraph
Lancashire Police prepared for its biggest ever policing operation around the protests, taking place either end of Northgate separated by steel barriers.
The EDL protest started at 12.45pm around King George's Hall, Northgate, and finished at around 1.45pm. Blackburn with Darwen Against Racism's counter-demonstration in Sudell Cross began at 1pm and finished at 3pm.
Numbers were limited to 3,000 for each protest. However, police estimate 2,000 supporters of the EDL gathered and around 500 people at the Blackburn with Darwen United Against Racism counter-protest.
12 arrests were made for offences such as breach of peace, police assault, assault, drunk and disorderly, threatening behaviour, affray and obstruction.
Roads were closed and shops and pubs shut, with a large area of the town centre a no-go area for much of today. Other areas of central Blackburn were largely deserted. A heavy police presence remains in town in case there are any outbreaks of trouble.
Pubs re-opened at 4pm, ahead of the Arsenal and Blackburn Rovers match which is live on television.
The Lancashire Telegraph provided live updates from the protests.
Lancashire Telegraph
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