BNP protests lead to 33 arrests

Thirty three people have been arrested following protests at a British
National Party (BNP) festival being held in Derbyshire.

Six arrests were made after about 40 demonstrators clashed with riot
police outside the BNP's annual Red, White and Blue event taking place
in Denby.

Further arrests were made as protesters dispersed in Heanor, police
said.

About 250 officers, including some armed with batons were deployed, as
well as dogs and a force helicopter.

Earlier some 700 demonstrators from Unite Against Fascism, the TUC and
Unison took part in a march from the nearby village of Codnor.

Barricade thwarted

Extra officers were drafted in to control the march as a group of
protesters tried to break a police cordon which had been put in place.

They waved placards as they walked down the village high street to the
field where the festival was being held.

Assistant Chief Constable Peter Goodman said: "A small number of people
who were not part of the main group seemed intent on causing problems.

"I think our actions today have shown that we will not tolerate disorder
of any kind in Derbyshire.

"We will be continuing our inquiries to identify and trace those people
who committed offences but were not arrested today."

BNP chairman, Nick Griffin, said: "We regard them [protesters] as
entitled to have their demonstration.

"It's unfortunate that some of them want to try and cause trouble for
us. Hence then the police had to inconvenience local people."

Earlier in the week police in Derbyshire invoked special public order
laws to restrict the number of people who planned to demonstrate in
protest at the BNP festival.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news. bbc.co.uk/ go/pr/fr/ -/1/hi/england/ derbyshire/ 7565354.stm

Published: 2008/08/16 16:53:04 GMT