Chief Superintendent Mark Milsom on the Leeds City Centre Demonstrations - 31 October 2009

Chief Superintendent Mark Milsom answers several questions regarding two planned demonstrations in Leeds City Centre on Saturday, 31st October 2009, one by the English Defence League (EDL) and the other by Unite Against Facism (UAF).

Several thousand people are expected at the two demonstration sites in Victoria Gardens (UAF assembly point) and City Square (EDL assembly point). The UAF has stated it intends to protest between 12 noon and 2.00pm and the EDL from 1.00pm and 3.00pm.

While this will inevitably cause some disruption to the public and the city will be busy, West Yorkshire Police aim to keep that to a minimum, while allowing the groups to exercise their right to protest. The protests are away from the main shopping areas.

Please check the West Yorkshire Police website for further information : http://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/events

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• west
• yorkshire
• police
• chief
• superintendent
• mark
• milsom
• events
• leeds
• city
• centre
• october
• 31st
• 2009
• english
• defence
• league
• edl
• unite
• against
• facism
• uaf
• protest
• demonstration
• square
• victoria
• gardens

[topman83]

As a neutral, from what ive seen on the numerous videos posted on youtube the police behaved in a thoroughly profoessional manner throughout. Well done West Yorks Police!! Maybe you can give the Met a few tips for the next international summit?

[24934637]

Well done for allowing the EDL to hold our peaceful protest. Thanks!

[viddfann]

The Police's handling of the demonstrations in Leeds on Saturday is to be commended. Thanks for helping to keep the peace in our wonderfully diverse and delightfully cosmopolitan city.

[datmacc]

After the Greater Manchester police were to aggressive with the Batons and dogs towards the EDL the West Yorkshire Police did a superb job. They treated people with respect and not as Hooligans

[cumbrianpunk]

well done west yorkshire police for allowing the peaceful english defence league to protest

[dottydolton1]

big thanks to the leeds police for all your help to make it a great day for the edl

[wozcat]

I am an EDL supporter, I was at the assembly in leeds, id like to say the police were from what i seen, 100 percent fair. it made a nice change to see, no need to set a dog on someone when that someone may resond with just being asked, and keeping the uaf out of earshot worked.

[prestonpps]

Was at the demo with the edl in leeds. Compared to previes demo's were the police used very heavy handed tactics which made tension's rise.Thought yorkshire police did a good job

[pdbedl]

As a member of the EDL group I would like to take this opportunity to thank the police for what was an excellent job. I am very proud that our police force did such a good job, kept in good spirits, and allowed our protest to go ahead so successfully.

Many thanks again for a superb job.

[CharmingLordSausage]

We have a fantastic Police force in the UK. The right to assemble and protest is something that many countries cannot boast. Let us continue to ensure that all protests are peaceful and protesters work with the Police to minimise disruption to local communties.