EDL Chelmsford Demo - A Far-Right Flop

The protest at Chelmsford (Essex) today by the English Defence League (EDL) started at around 2.30pm and ended around 4.30pm. The money wasted trying to patrol this protest that the police had no notice about is yet to be confirmed.

A bad turnout

A spokesman from Essex police force reported that around 30 people took part in the demonstration in Chelmsford city centre. Other reports state 50-70. But opposition still outnumbered the EDL. It was another flop for the EDL.

Arrests for racial abuse

Various news agencies and police agencies have reported that a 35-year-old man from Rochester in Kent, a 19-year-old man from Dagenham, Essex, and an 18-year-old man from Yateley in Hampshire were taken into custody on suspicion of committing racially aggravated public order offences. Coincidentally in the last Chelmsford protest, the Essex Chronicle reported that three were arrested.

Threatening behaviour before the protest

We also saw a threat made by an EDL supporter before the protest. The person remains uninvestigated.

Further reading:

1. EDL Chelmsford Demo – A Pointless Demo
2. EDL Essex Division Lie About Chelmsford?
3. EDL Member Threatens With Violence Before Chelmsford Demo