Police control rival demonstrations (From Surrey Comet)

Police control rival demonstrations

4:16pm Saturday 4th February 2012 in National News © Press Association 2011

Hundreds of protesters have taken part in two marches by the English Defence League and Unite Against Fascism.

Violence was kept at bay as some 2,200 officers policed around 900 protesters who took part in the two marches in Leicester city centre.

Between 500 and 700 protesters were thought to have taken part in the English Defence League march, while 200 are expected to have marched for Unite Against Fascism.

Leicestershire Police said the marches had been largely peaceful and that no arrests had been made during the demonstrations.

Officers were drafted in from across the country to help police the rallies.

A police spokesperson said there were 404 extra resources, including 227 officers, on patrol on top of normal policing levels.

The groups were led around two separate routes through the city centre.

Simon Cole, Leicestershire Police chief constable, thanked the residents of Leicester: "The success of the operation is due to a number of factors, not least the support from Leicester City Council in preparing the city for today's event and the co-operation of the Leicester public," he said.

"The planning for this day began just two weeks ago with many officers and staff working extremely long hours working out the logistics, meeting with other force colleagues, partners, businesses, community leaders to name but a few.

"Today more than 2,000 officers and staff were involved in policing the marches joined by colleagues from 17 other forces and to those we owe a huge debt of thanks for their support."