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More than 1,000 oppose BNP event More than 1,000 oppose BNP event
(about 2 hours later)
About 1,500 protesters gathered in Derbyshire to oppose the BNP's 10th annual Red, White and Blue festival. Nineteen people were arrested during a protest by about 1,500 people against the BNP's 10th annual Red, White and Blue festival in Derbyshire.
The march in and around Codnor passed off mostly peacefully, but a few people were arrested after efforts were made to push past a designated protest area. The march in and around Codnor passed off mostly peacefully, police said.
At least four men were led away in handcuffs after scuffles broke out, and missiles, including bags of flower, eggs and fruit, were thrown at police. But some protesters threw bags of flower, eggs and fruit at officers as a few people tried to force their way through a police cordon.
Most of the demonstrators were watched by an aerial camera mounted on a drone. More than 500 officers were deployed, while the demonstration was watched by an aerial camera mounted on a drone.
About 200 officers with eight police horses were on duty. The police operation is expected to cost some £500,000.
Earlier a "small number" of arrests were made near Codnor after protesters "acted unlawfully" near the site of the festival, police said. A police spokesman said officers had to act after some protesters blocked or tried to block roads.
The number of people arrested throughout the day has not been specified by police.
'Wives and children'
Demonstrators from United Against Fascism joined forces with the TUC and Amber Valley Campaign against Racism.Demonstrators from United Against Fascism joined forces with the TUC and Amber Valley Campaign against Racism.
We are just ordinary people having a bit of a laugh in the sun BNP deputy leader Simon Darby
A letter condemning the event was published on Friday on United Against Fascism's website, with signatories including former London Mayor Ken Livingstone and children's author Michael Rosen.A letter condemning the event was published on Friday on United Against Fascism's website, with signatories including former London Mayor Ken Livingstone and children's author Michael Rosen.
The letter said: "We condemn the BNP and its festival of race hate, and we urge people to reject this party's poisonous and anti-democratic agenda."The letter said: "We condemn the BNP and its festival of race hate, and we urge people to reject this party's poisonous and anti-democratic agenda."
Earlier this week the BNP's deputy leader Simon Darby said: "It's not in our interests to cause trouble. BNP deputy leader Simon Darby estimated that about 100 of those visiting the festival had been delayed by the protest march.
"We're up there with our wives, girlfriends and children." He added: "Local people wouldn't even know we were here if they didn't protest.
Last year more than 30 protesters were arrested near the site, but no-one was charged with an offence. "We are just ordinary people having a bit of a laugh in the sun."
Derbyshire's Acting Assistant Chief Constable Steve Cotterill said: "We have made fewer arrests than we did last year and these arrests were for sporadic behaviour.
"Only when necessary was force used to keep order and maintain the rights of all who were present on the day.
"At no stage was it necessary to deploy officers in full riot gear."
At last year's BNP event more than 30 protesters were arrested, although no-one was charged with an offence.
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The march passed off largely peacefully