This is an update from Leicestershire Police and Leicester’s City Mayor in the run up to planned demonstrations by the English Defence League (EDL) and Leicester Unite Against Fascism (UAF) in Leicester city centre on Saturday February 4, 2012.
As you are aware, on Monday we confirmed details of the march routes for both the EDL and UAF. The press release can be viewed by clicking on this link.
http://www.leics.police.uk/news/6018_police_and_council_reassure_public_following/
The police have now placed a number of conditions on the demonstrators in order to reduce disruption to the city on the day.
The conditions, under Section 12 and 14 of the Public Order Act, aim to limit the time both groups can spend in the city centre and also prevent them from carrying out static protests during the marches.
They are as follows:
- Supporters for both groups must gather at their respective assembly points between 11am and 12noon. Failure to arrive by this time may result in them being excluded from the event.
- A further period of time between 12noon and approximately 12.30pm will be allowed for organisers and stewards to brief and prepare supporters for the procession through Leicester, which will follow the prescribed route and specific timings directed by the senior police officer present at the time.
- There is no provision for a static assembly during the course of the route.
- Following the conclusion of the procession there will be an opportunity for a static assembly.
- People attending the procession and assembly will then disperse as directed by the senior police officer present at the scene, before or by 4pm.
- Anyone who knowingly fails to comply with these conditions is guilty of an offence for which they may be arrested.
Our preparationsThis week we have continued to engage with communities in Leicester to reassure them ahead of the planned demonstrations. We have also personally visited businesses in the city centre, in particular those along the march routes, to answer their questions and address any concerns. On Wednesday morning we held a very positive open meeting with up to 200 members of the business community. We reiterated our commitment to minimise disruption in the city centre and our aim that it will be ‘business as usual’ outside the times of the planned marches.
As previously mentioned, we have approached licensees in the city centre to ask them not to serve alcohol from 8am to 1pm on Saturday.
We are delighted to say that we have had 100% compliance from licensees and are very grateful for their support.
All operational plans for the day have been finalised. Transport details can be found on the Leicester City Council website at http://www.leicester.gov.uk/demonstrations
Information for local schools and young people in Leicester has been prepared and distributed. The council has also been working closely with partners in arranging a wide range of activities for young people in Leicester on the day of the demonstrations, including free swimming at city swimming pools. Again, full details can be found on the Leicester City Council website – at http://www.leicester.gov.uk/februaryevents
The Leicester eventThe most up-to-date intelligence indicates that 42 divisions of the EDL have now expressed an interest in attending the Leicester event. However, to date there is still only evidence of six divisions actually booking any transport to come here.
Leicestershire Police anticipates that approximately 1,100 EDL supporters – both local and from other parts of the country – are likely to attend on February 4.
It is unclear at this time how many supporters will attend the UAF counter demonstration, though we believe that this will be a locally attended demonstration as opposed to a national event.
Media reportingNumerous media interviews have taken place this week including BBC Radio Leicester, Central News, Gem 106, BBC Asian Network, Sabras and Eava FM. More interviews are planned over the coming days and on February 4 itself.
A further briefing will be held with the media tomorrow (Thursday February 2) to discuss their requirements for the day.
On the dayIn the section below you can find informtion on police tactics and maps etc.
Up-to-date information on February 4 will be available at www.leics.police.uk/demo or via Twitter by following @leicspolice or @robnixoncity.
If you do hear any rumours in the community, have concerns or are in receipt of any information that you think the police should be aware of then you can call 101, any time of the day or night.
You should inform the call taker that you are calling in relation to Operation Peninsula.
Hopefully your call will be resolved by the call taker but if it requires further action it will be passed on to a member of the City Police Senior Management team.
All calls in relation to Operation Peninsula will be put on a master log which will be constantly reviewed and monitored.
We hope this communication has been useful. We are keen to hear about any specific concerns and will try to answer any questions you have.
Sir Peter Soulsby Chief Superintendent Rob Nixon
City Mayor Leicester BCU Commander
