Aylesbury protest – police plans in place

Archived press release

Date Published: 01/05/10

Aylesbury town centre is quiet and calm today (1 May) as extensive police and partner plans are put in place to ensure that today’s protests planned by the EDL and UAF are managed and peaceful.

On a day when speculation is almost certain, the police are keen to quash rumours that there were problems in the town last night. This was not the case and the police were not called to deal with any incidents. People are urged to use the Thames Valley website - www.thamesvalley.police.uk - or listen for updates on local radio for accurate up-to-date information. A twitter page has also been set up twitter.com/TVP_Aylesbury to give regular updates.

As expected, whilst some shops are open until noon, many people have chosen to stay away from the town centre, particularly as there are very few buses, and most taxi services have been suspended until 6am tomorrow. However, trains are running as normal.

Anyone intending to participate in the protests is urged by the police to behave responsibly. The police will deal swiftly with any offences.

Around 1,500 supporters are expected to join the EDL protest, which will start in the Market Square at around 2.30pm. Numbers for the UAF counter protest, which will take place in Vale Park, are expected to be lower. Both groups will be contained by the police, who are deploying both mounted police and dogs as part of the operation to ensure the safety of the public.

Thames Valley Police is urging protesters to behave responsible. While they have the right to protest peacefully, they do not have the right to break the law.
Thames Valley Police has confirmed that it is currently investigating an assault on a 20-year-old man at Wendover railway station, which was reported to the ambulance service at 10.23am.

Two men have been arrested on suspicion of processing an offensive weapon in Kingsbury Square. It is not possible to say of this incident is related to the town centre protests.

Press release issued by Thames Valley Police, Aylesbury Vale District Council, Buckinghamshire County Council and Aylesbury Town Council.