6 Sep 2009

Arrests after violence at anti-Islamist protest

2:50 pm on 6 September 2009

Police have arrested more than 30 people after violence broke out at a protest in Birmingham by a nationalist group against what it describes as Islamic extremism.

A demonstration by the English Defence League descended into angry clashes with anti-fascist campaigners in a busy shopping street on Saturday, despite the presence of dozens of riot police.

Some of the arrests were in the centre of the city. Police also detained people who were leaving an area on a bus.

Police had warned they would deal "robustly" with any troublemakers after similar clashes in the city last month.

The English Defence League had urged its supporters to avoid violent clashes.