Police plan for EDL march

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POLICE chiefs are making plans ahead of a planned English Defence League procession this weekend.

Members of the group are expected to come to Redditch for a demonstration on Saturday (May 26).

Superintendent Adrian Pass, police commander for North Worcestershire, released a statement this morning to confirm police were working closely with Redditch Borough Council and other organisations to ensure the event caused as little disruption to Redditch as possible.

"Our operational planning for the day is progressing well and once these plans are finalised we will make them public so local residents understand what to expect.

"Our first priority will be to inform residents and businesses directly affected by the procession about our plans, but we will also release these details to a wider audience via the local media once they are finalised.

"I would ask people to remember that we simply cannot stop EDL members from coming to Redditch to hold a lawful protest. However, we will make sure everyone attending the protest understands their legal responsibilities and also warn them that anyone who does break the law can expect to be dealt with very robustly.

"I would like to take this opportunity to reassure local people that a significant police presence will be on duty on the day and that we will have resources available that will allow us to deal with every likely eventuality."

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