EDL rally cost West Midlands force £50,000
THE cost of drafting in extra police for an English Defence League (EDL) rally in Birmingham was more £50,000.
The rally at the weekend also had a major knock-on effect on community policing as officers were diverted from other parts of the city and West Midlands area in case of trouble.
But, as the far-right group’s numbers have dwindled recently, so the costs have reduced.
In 2014 the West Midlands force spent £321,000 policing a single rally in Dudley.
In previous years the EDL has brought havoc to Birmingham, Dudley and Walsall, with police forced to keep group members and counter demonstrations apart.
This time those opposed to the group were urged to go about their normal business or have a cup of tea with commu- nity leaders at Birmingham Central Mosque.
Labour police commissioner David Jamieson said: “We expect the costs of the protests to be more than £50,000 to West Midlands Police. I would much rather see this money spent on local policing.”
Mr Jamieson praised a tea party at the Central Mosque which he attended where scones and samosas were served to all. “What could be more British than that?” he said. “Those at the tea party gave the cold shoulder to the EDL and counter demonstrators. After all, those protesting were overwhelmingly made up of people who live outside of the second city and have no idea of our communities or way of life. Quite frankly, the only thing they brought to our city was division – and demand to our already busy police force.”