Dorset Police is working with partners, particularly Bournemouth Borough Council, to prepare for two protests planned in the town this Saturday (23 August), one by the English Defence League and a counter-protest by various groups coordinated by Unite the Union.
Public authorities have a legal obligation to facilitate peaceful protest, even when it involves some disruption. The police will be taking an active and visible role on the day to minimise any risks, help manage any disruption, provide useful updates to the public, and to quickly respond should any crimes occur.
Superintendent Nicky Searle, Gold Commander for Operation Fig, explained: “The police and other public authorities have a clear legal obligation to facilitate peaceful protest; whatever the cause and even if it creates some disruption to other people.
“We will balance this right to peaceful protest with the rights of others to go about their normal business. This means we will monitor both marches to help keep everyone safe as they move through the town, provide information to help minimise disruption, and respond quickly if any crimes or significant disorder occurs.
“Both groups have contacted us, which has allowed us to better understand their intentions and given us a realistic picture allowing us to police the protests as proportionately as possible.
“We have also negotiated so that their rights to protest are balanced against the level of impact on the town. For example, following discussion, the EDL agreed not to march during the busy Air Festival weekend and both groups agreed to march simultaneously, which will minimise the period of travel disruption.
“We are working with Bournemouth Borough Council and other partners to manage any impact on the town and to reassure local people. This includes liaising with other emergency services to ensure access for response vehicles during the marches.
“With assistance from the Council, we aim to minimise the level of traffic disruption, implementing temporary rolling road closures only when necessary during the marches. On the day, we will keep people up-to-date with travel information and anything else that may impact on them in real-time on our website and via Twitter.
“We have been in contact with local councillors, MPs and business leaders to advise them about the protests. Detailed information will be distributed to businesses and local residents in the areas affected a few days before the protests and will be made available on our website. It has not been possible to do this earlier due to the groups’ intentions and proposed routes only being finalised this week.
“On the day people will see an increased police presence in the town. However, I would reassure local residents, businesses and visitors that our intention and expectation is that while people will probably notice the protests taking place for a few hours, they will still be able to enjoy the town as normal with minimal disruption for the vast majority of the day.”
The English Defence League plan to meet at The Square and march to the west overcliff path between the BIC and the clifftop. The counter-protest, involving a number of groups coordinated by Unite the Union, plan to meet at Horseshoe Common, taking a proposed route that finishes at Bath Road South car park.
Some disruption is expected between midday and 2pm, although this will be for short periods of time while the marches move through different areas. Estimates of protest participants are usually very unreliable; however at this time it is anticipated that each procession and rally will number in the hundreds.
For more information and live updates on the day, including any changes to the route and estimated times for any road closures, visit the Dorset Police website at http://www.dorset.police.uk or follow the Twitter hashtag #OpFig on @DorsetPolice.
