£260,000 To Police Three EDL Protests In Birmingham And Walsall

The Birmingham Mail has reported that it had cost around £260,000 to police just three demonstrations by the English Defence League (EDL) in the region.

West Midlands Police spent the huge sum covering the far-right group’s protests in Birmingham city centre and Walsall since 2010.

The cash-strapped force, which will have to save £153 million by 2015, spent more than £162,000 in October 2011.

The force spent more than £83,000 policing a demonstration in Walsall town centre last September, which saw violent clashes and around 41 arrests of EDL members and around two connected to counter protest groups.

In Walsall, EDL demonstrations started causing havoc, damaged property and hurt others. EDL supporters began throwing objects at police, such as bottles, wooden planks and even a bin.

Photo: ITV Central

Another £14,000 was spent earlier in January – and the group is now planning another demo in Birmingham city centre later this month.

A Birmingham MP has called for huge fines for EDL protesters who break the law.

Further reading:

1. £260,000 to police three EDL protests in Birmingham and Walsall