The annual March for England brought the city to a standstill on Sunday. Yet again there was violence, disruption, bloodshed and a huge bill to be picked up by the taxpayer. As city leaders begin the post-mortem, reporter Ben James looks at what needs to be done to prevent a repeat of the weekend’s events
Nationalist protesters have vowed to return to the city next year – regardless of whether the March for England event is banned.
The threat comes as city leaders begin the post-mortem of Sunday’s violence.
The police operation, which has been described as the largest for decades, involved some 13 forces and is expected to cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Twenty arrests were made with an estimated 250 nationalists coming up against 1,000-plus anti-fascists.
There are now calls for the event to be banned with some suggesting the Government should help with the cost of policing such events.
Mike Weatherly, MP for Hove, said: “Brighton has become a destination for protests such as this for no particular reason.
“I think this needs to be recognised by the Government because it is unfair that we continually pick up the bill.
“I will be speaking to the minister about setting up a special discretionary fund.”
Lawful protest
The Conservative MP added that those who come to the city intent on causing trouble should be banned.
He said: “Nobody wants to stifle free speech. But it has to be lawful. At the moment groups are using events like this to come down and cause mayhem.
“If people are coming to the city intent of causing trouble then I think they should be banned.
“No right-thinking person would think that that is stifling free speech. That’s simple.”
Damaging reputation
Simon Kirby, MP for Brighton Kemptown, added he too would push for a central fund to help cover the cost of policing such events.
He added: “Brighton relies on tourism and an event like March for England is extremely damaging.
“Not only does it affect trade on the day but it also gives the city a bad reputation.”
An estimated 700 officers were drafted in from forces as far away as Norfolk.
Trouble spots
They were backed up by police horses, dogs and the force helicopter.
But despite the huge police presence, splinter groups broke away from the organised route and were involved in running battles across the city.
Trouble flared up in The Lanes, Old Steine and Kemp Town as balaclava-clad anti-fascists and groups of nationalists clashed.
Paramedics dealt with a number of injuries across the day with beach pebbles and bottles being thrown as well as various fist fights.
Future protest
Police also reported bricks being used against a number of their horses.
Responding to calls as to whether they would return, a March for England spokesman said: “Every time a missile is thrown or a threat made against us, you can bet your bottom dollar we will be back.
“We don’t take violence or threats. So your attacks backfire. We will hold one next year. If it gets banned we hold static events around Brighton.”
Gill Mitchell, leader of Brighton and Hove City Council’s Labour Group, stopped short of calling for the event to be banned but said organisers should review the location.
No Brighton link
“There is no reason for the march to be held in Brighton. If they are campaigning for St George’s Day to be made a bank holiday as they say they are, then they need to direct their protest to Westminster.
“There is nothing we can do about it here in Brighton.”
She added: “When I looked at the coverage in The Argus today, I just thought ‘this can’t be my city’.
“It is worrying because it is now becoming one of the city’s annual events like the Festival of Pride.”
Seafront criticism
The police and council have also come in for criticism over the decision to stage the event on the seafront.
In a poll on The Argus website yesterday, 81% said that the location was the wrong choice.
Just 18% said the seafront was the best location with 1% stating that they were unsure.
Council leader Jason Kitcat said: “I’d rather that we didn’t have the March for England and all that goes with it coming to our city at all.
“But given the very difficult public safety challenges it presents the police, I believe the seafront was the least worst option for the march to be held.”
Superintendent Steve Whitton, who led Sunday’s operation, added: “It was obvious that last year’s route was not suitable and since the beginning of this year I have been chairing a strategic partnership group and we have fully discussed and considered the options available to us.
“I believe that the fact that it was able to be peacefully facilitated, that the incidents of disorder were fairly minor and that actual disruption to the city as a whole was managed to a reasonable level, justifies that decision.”
He added that police would be visiting interested parties in the coming weeks to gather feedback on the event.
The police has so far refused to provide an estimate to the cost, which will run into hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Don't need them
Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner candidate Ian Chisnall suggested allowing the march to continue but without the opposition.
He said: “It’s like feeding an appetite that will grow and grow. Just don’t give them the time of day, we don’t need to go down there and tell them they are wrong.
“However this needs to be put forward and discussed by our political leaders.”
The 52-year-old criticised city leaders for “not sticking their necks out” and speaking out on the issue.
He added: “We need to find a solution and they must lead.”
Police confirmed yesterday that five of the 20 arrested have already been charged.
A bad day for traders
Traders lost out yet again as the March for England shut down half the city.
With the sun making a rare appearance on Sunday, struggling businesses were left counting the cost of a good chance to make up for a dismal few months.
Many shops shut for the day for fear of vandalism with others reportedly empty for hours with shoppers too fearful to venture near the seafront.
Adam Chinery, from Brighton Seafront Traders, said a rethink was needed adding he sympathised with those tasked with organising the event.
He said: “It was certainly quieter than normal and I understand that there wasn’t the access which was promised for those on Madeira Drive.
“It is a difficult one to call. Last year the march was held in town and we had the troublemakers down here on the seafront.
“This year it was well contained on the seafront with groups causing problems in town.”
Mark Grill, who runs a hair braiding and fabrics stall on East Street, said that the day had been a “disaster”.
He added: “I’ve barely seen anyone – apart from the protesters of course.”
Simon Kirby, MP for Brighton Kemptown, said: “We need to think about the traders and the best way to minimise disruption.
“All parties must have their voices heard and this feedback should be acted on.”
- Nine photojournalists were also stopped and searched as they made their way to Brighton to cover the march.
The group, who were travelling by mini-bus, were pulled over near Hickstead. Officers spent 20 to 30 minutes searching the photographers citing Section 60 of the Terrorism Act and Section 60 AA of the Public Order Act.
John Toner, from the National Union of Journalist, said: “This was an unlawful use of the legislation to detain and search journalists. Sussex Police now seem to be aware of its blunder and we hope the officers concerned are given training in dealing with media workers.
“We will be taking legal advice on whether there is a potential claim against Sussex Police.”
- Sunday's March for England live blog attracted some 45,000 views across the day.
Reporters Bill Gardner and Ben James provided minute by minute updates from around Brighton with photographers Simon Dack and Liz Finlayson capturing the day’s action.
Yesterday’s update saw 13,500 visits to The Argus website for information on the aftermath.
See the latest news headlines from The Argus:
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