Police bill for EDL protest over nonexistent Sheffield mosque may top £600,000

Around 400 EDL supporters and leader Tommy Robinson descended on Sheffield Lane
Top on Saturday afternoon, having travelled to the city from across the UK to protest against now-dropped plans to turn the former Pheasant pub into a mosque.

Lines of riot police prevented them from crossing the main Barnsley Road and clashing with approximately 250 anti-EDL demonstrators from groups including One Sheffield Many Cultures and Unite Against Fascism.

Despite the EDL claiming it would be a “peaceful” protest, the supporters surged at police lines and had to be held back.

Hundreds of extra police had been drafted in for the day from forces including Northamptonshire, Merseyside, Durham Constabulary and Greater Manchester Police.

The cost of the policing operation has been estimated as between £600,000 and £800,000.

Just four arrests were made during the afternoon, for offences including criminal damage to a police vehicle, and being drunk and disorderly.

A spokesman for South Yorkshire Police said the rally had been “firmly and positively policed”.

They added: “The demonstration is understood to have been organised in response to rumours that a disused pub was to be converted into a mosque, with approximately 400 members of the EDL reaching the site at around 2.30pm.

“Opposing group United Against Fascism were also present in protest against the demonstration, with around 250 members attending. Both groups were kept separated by police during the demonstration.

“Considerable negotiations had taken place between SYP and both groups to allow them to achieve their objectives for the day peacefully.

“Four arrests have been made to date – two for drunk and disorderly, one for criminal damage to a police vehicle and one for possession of cannabis.

“Police endeavoured to keep disruption to a minimum, maintaining peace as tensions rose and providing a high-visibility police presence.

“Officers escorted both groups away from the area once the demonstration had concluded.”

Supt Colin McFarlane said: “Hundreds of extra police officers have been on duty today, drafted in from forces up and down the country, to ensure that disruption was kept to a minimum.

“We planned to take a very firm stance, with a positive policing style, aimed at protecting the general public, businesses and those participating in the assembly.

“It is a measure of the success of the operation that only four people were arrested for relatively minor offences and I am pleased the event has passed without serious disorder or injury.

“I would like to thank the public of Sheffield for their patience and tolerance and also express how extremely proud I am of the police officers who have showed a huge degree of professionalism and understanding managing the demonstration today.”

Previous EDL demonstrations in Sheffield have taken place in the city centre, around Barkers Pool. However, this latest rally took place in a residential suburb.

Hundreds of officers, in full riot gear, were on the streets as EDL members marched from a pub in the Parson Cross area of the city to Sheffield Lane Top.

The group – which describes itself as “not racist” – is planning to hold a national demonstration
in Bradford on Saturday, October 12.