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Five arrests during demonstration Arrests as protest starts trouble
(40 minutes later)
Five people have been arrested for public order offences at an English Defence League (EDL) rally in Staffordshire. Five people were arrested at an English Defence League (EDL) rally in Stoke-on-Trent after trouble broke out.
About 1,500 EDL supporters are at the rally in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent to protest about Islamic extremism. Police were assaulted and vehicles were damaged when EDL supporters broke through police cordons, BBC Midlands Today reporter Matt Cooke said.
Up to 300 members from the group Unite Against Fascism have also gathered at the event in Hanley, police said. About 1,500 EDL supporters were at the rally against Islamic extremism, Staffordshire Police said.
Staffordshire Police said more than 600 officers were keeping the peace between the groups. Up to 300 members from the group Unite Against Fascism gathered on the other side of Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent.
Supt Dave Mellor said disorder had been sporadic disorder since the rally began at 1500 GMT. Multi-faith pledge
Supt Dave Mellor said more than 600 officers had been deployed to the rally and disorder had been "sporadic".
Matt Cooke said there had been few problems with the Unite Against Fascism demonstration.
He said there was trouble as the EDL crowd dispersed.
Christian, Muslim, Jewish and Sikh faith leaders signed a pledge against all forms of racism, ahead of the event on Saturday.Christian, Muslim, Jewish and Sikh faith leaders signed a pledge against all forms of racism, ahead of the event on Saturday.
Unite Against Fascism held their own rally in protest at the EDL
The Right Rev Gordon Mursell, the Church of England Bishop of Stafford, said after signing the pledge on Thursday: "We believe that real diversity actually helps create a vibrant and attractive city.The Right Rev Gordon Mursell, the Church of England Bishop of Stafford, said after signing the pledge on Thursday: "We believe that real diversity actually helps create a vibrant and attractive city.
"The EDL and BNP think the opposite. That is why we oppose them.""The EDL and BNP think the opposite. That is why we oppose them."
Staffordshire Police said it had sufficient officers in place to deal with the demonstration and had learnt "valuable lessons" from other police forces around the country, who had dealt with similar protests.Staffordshire Police said it had sufficient officers in place to deal with the demonstration and had learnt "valuable lessons" from other police forces around the country, who had dealt with similar protests.
Ninety people were arrested following clashes between EDL campaigners and anti-fascist supporters in Birmingham in September.Ninety people were arrested following clashes between EDL campaigners and anti-fascist supporters in Birmingham in September.