Arrests follow Halifax opposing protests
- Published
Fourteen people have been arrested following two rival demonstrations in a West Yorkshire town centre.
Officers said the protests in Halifax by the English Defence League (EDL) and the Muslim Defence League mostly passed peacefully with minimal disruption.
Police said the arrests were made for minor public order offences.
About 150 people gathered in the Bull Green area for the EDL protest while about 50 took part in the other demonstration in Park Ward.
West Yorkshire Police said about 200 officers were deployed to the events.
A spokesman said that during the EDL demonstration one man was taken ill and refused to be taken to hospital by ambulance. It was thought he had recovered and left the area without giving any details to officers.
Acting Supt Martin Lister said: "Our officers enjoyed a tremendous response to today's operation from the local public which ensured that today's demonstrations could both pass peacefully without disorder, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank residents and businesses of Halifax for this."