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EDL Birmingham protest: Police make a total of 20 arrests | |
(about 11 hours later) | |
Three people have been charged following demonstrations in Birmingham on Saturday, police say. | |
West Midlands Police said it made a total of 20 arrests surrounding an English Defence League (EDL) rally and counter protest. | |
A 20-year-old woman has been charged with violent disorder and two men have been charged with possessing offensive weapons. | |
Police said up to 2,000 people gathered at two locations in the city centre. | |
The woman will appear before Birmingham Magistrates' Court on Monday. | |
EDL supporters were in Centenary Square from about noon while opposition groups, including Unite Against Fascism (UAF), gathered in Chamberlain Square. | |
A small number of protesters and police officers were injured at both events and four people were arrested after bottles were thrown at police during the EDL protest. | |
Police said 13 of the 20 total arrests were for public order offences and involved supporters of both protests. | |
'Successful operation' | 'Successful operation' |
Two men, aged 26 and 22, have been charged with possessing offensive weapons and bailed, while another two men remain in custody on suspicion of the same offence. | |
Two men were cautioned for assaulting police officers, one man was cautioned for theft, and one man was arrested for possession of drugs and released on bail. | |
Police arrested a woman for breach of the peace and she was later released without charge. | |
A further arrest was made on Friday for threats on Facebook and the man was bailed with a curfew put in place so that he was unable to attend the protest. | |
West Midlands Police said about 1,000 extra police officers had been on duty and the force helicopter had been used to monitor the situation. | West Midlands Police said about 1,000 extra police officers had been on duty and the force helicopter had been used to monitor the situation. |
Assistant Chief Constable Sharon Rowe said both demonstrations "largely passed off without serious incident" and it had been a "successful operation." | Assistant Chief Constable Sharon Rowe said both demonstrations "largely passed off without serious incident" and it had been a "successful operation." |
She said: "We are aware of some instances of criminal damage and a number of assaults have been reported, which will be the subject of our ongoing inquiries. | She said: "We are aware of some instances of criminal damage and a number of assaults have been reported, which will be the subject of our ongoing inquiries. |
"We recognise that the people of Birmingham have been both concerned and inconvenienced and we would like to thank them for their tolerance, co-operation and patience." | "We recognise that the people of Birmingham have been both concerned and inconvenienced and we would like to thank them for their tolerance, co-operation and patience." |
Police said there were a total of three hospital admissions for minor injuries and that one officer, who was taken to hospital after suffering a head injury, has been discharged. |
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