BNP protests lead to 33 arrests

Protests at a British National Party (BNP) festival in Derbyshire ended with 33 arrests after 40 demonstrators clashed with police.

About 250 officers were deployed to the event, some armed with batons. Dogs and a force helicopter were also used to police the event.

Anti-BNP organisations staged rallies to coincide with the BNP’s ‘Red, White and Blue’ event. The Derby Racial Equality Council and Unite Against Fascism groups were initially expecting over 1,000 protestors, but police limited this number to 700.

A group of protestors passing the BNP festival site tried to break police cordons and extra officers were drafted in.

Assistant Chief Constable Peter Goodman said: “A small number of people who were not part of the main group seemed intent on causing problems. I think our actions today have shown that we will not tolerate disorder of any kind in Derbyshire.

“We will be continuing our inquiries to identify and trace those people who committed offences but were not arrested today.”

BNP chairman, Nick Griffin, said: “We regard them [protesters] as entitled to have their demonstration. It’s unfortunate that some of them want to try and cause trouble for us.”