Demonstrations in Slough – Saturday 1 February 2014 Thames Valley Police and Slough Borough Council are working together to ensure disruption to residents is kept to a minimum after the announcement of two demonstrations in the Slough area on Saturday 1 February. The English Defence League (EDL) announced their intention to demonstrate in Slough earlier this month. This announcement was followed by the publicising of a counter-demonstration by groups opposing the EDL. The police and council are working very closely with the protest organisers to facilitate peaceful demonstrations and our aim is ensuring the impact on local people is minimised. The route of the EDL march will bring them from Slough train station, along Brunel Way, crossing the A4 and down William Street. They will then turn left onto the High Street at its junction with Windsor Road and walk along the High Street. They plan to gather at the Town Square for a short rally before returning to the station along the same route. This will take place between 1pm and 4pm. The counter-demonstration is expected to take place in Salt Hill Park from 11am to 4pm. Superintendent Simon Bowden, LPA commander for Slough, said: “Following liaison with the organisers, we are expecting the EDL demonstration to be nothing but peaceful. “We also urge the counter-demonstrators to carry out their activities peacefully. “Our message to local residents is clear; we are providing a proportionate policing response to facilitate peaceful protests and we would encourage residents to go about their normal lives and avoid getting caught up in the activities. “Public safety is the main concern for us and the council and we will be working together to ensure the demonstrations pass without any issues.” Councillor Rob Anderson, leader of the council, said: “We realise the presence of these demonstrations will be concerning for many. “However Superintendent Bowden and I are proud to be in Slough where there is such a strong community spirit and people get on well together. “We would ask people to support us whilst we facilitate people’s democratic right to peacefully protest. “It is one-day event and I am sure Slough’s commitment to community cohesion will be not be undermined by protests which may try and divide us.” Any residents with questions can take part in an online question and answer session with Superintendent Bowden and council Chief Executive Ruth Bagley on the evening of Wednesday 29 January from 7.15pm to 8pm. The online session can be reached here: bit.ly/P1j1fS Slough Borough Council and Thames Valley Police will be updating their websites and twitter feeds throughout the day. To follow or just read the tweets log on to twitter/SloughCouncil or twitter/TVP_Slough
Posted on: Mon, 27 Jan 2014 15:50:49 +0000
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