Protest by far right groups passes peacefully

Demonstrators in Heywood

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Around 100 members of the National Front and the North West Infidels took part in a protest in Heywood today (Saturday 3 March).

The demonstration, which took place in the Memorial Gardens on Church Street, passed peacefully with only a small number of arrests for minor offences.

Two protestors were arrested for public order offences while a 49-year-old man was arrested earlier in the day for a racially-aggravated public order offence.

The demonstration started at around 1.15pm and by 2.30pm all those partaking had been dispersed.

The people who were taking part held placards, banners and flags and were confined into the gardens where they listened to speeches. They made a request to march through Heywood, which was denied by police.

There was an increased police presence in the town to manage the demo. Businesses opened as normal but pubs in the area closed.

Superintendent John Graves, Operations Commander for the Rochdale Division, said: "First, I would like to thank both the people of Heywood and businesses in the town centre for their continued support, cooperation and understanding.

"Under difficult circumstances they have demonstrated great pride in their town and have shown that they trust the police to get on with our jobs.

"GMP respects everyone's right to a protest, but at the same time we have to balance this with the concerns of people in our local communities.

"We, the council and the communities of Rochdale have worked hard over the last week in order to facilitate this protest in a safe and responsible manner, reducing the risk of disorder by ensuring there were no surprises. Today, this work has paid off.

"There will remain an increased police presence in Heywood and the surrounding area throughout the rest of the day and into the night."

The Leader of Rochdale Council, Councillor Colin Lambert, said: “The police have done an excellent job today in keeping the people of Heywood safe and ensuring that this event caused minimum disruption to our town’s businesses and residents.

“We enjoy excellent relationships with our partners in the police, Greater Manchester fire and rescue and other agencies and we all have one thing in common: a love of our borough and a commitment to look after residents at all times.

“Heywood is a united and tight knit community and I am extremely proud of the way that it has responded to today’s events. It comes as no surprise to me that its residents have shown such restraint at this difficult time and have refused to tolerate hateful views.”

Councillor Alan McCarthy, Chairman of Heywood Township, added: “By coming together and working together, our police force, the local authority, volunteers and most importantly, the community of Heywood, have shown that however intent people are on creating division, they will not disrupt the unity of this fantastic town.

“Our police force care deeply about the people who live and work in this borough and the residents of Heywood have clearly seen that commitment today.”