POLICING last year’s marches by the English Defence League in Worcester cost £100,000, a sum a senior officer described as being used “effectively and reasonably”.

The EDL held two marches in Worcester last summer, in July and August, to protest against plans to build a large mosque in the city.

Three people were arrested in July’s demo, after far-right protesters clashed with counter demonstrators.

The following month, about 150 EDL marchers were outnumbered by more than 500 people who turned out to tell EDL supporters that they were not welcome in the city.

This week, Chief Superintendent Mark Travis said: “The combined total for the two protests was £100,000, with the second costing the majority of this, £88,000.

“We believe the money and resources were used effectively and responsibly and the structure of the policing operation was in line with other forces and the national requirements for the management of large scale protests.

“We aimed to achieve what the public told us was important from this event, which was to minimise disruption to those who live, work and visit Worcester and keep our communities feeling as safe as possible. We recognise many wanted the event to be banned but that was not possible.

“The right to peaceful protest is a fundamental democratic right and during such events our role is to prevent any crime and disorder and make sure we have an appropriate policing operation in place.

“We liaise with event organisers and a range of partners to make sure that is the case.

“Having a successful policing operation for this was important to our community; the majority of the feedback we have received has been very positive from the community, general public and the media.

“I would again like to thank officers and staff who were involved in the operation.

“Our partners such as Worcester Bid who liaised with the traders in the city, and our nationwide forces who helped with providing mounted resources and additional officers. Their professionalism and hard work ensured minimum disruption.”