COVENTRY MESSAGE BOARD

At an English Defence League protest in Nuneaton, four men and a teenage boy were arrested.



Warwickshire Police said a 21-year-old from Nottingham was detained on suspicion of robbery, a 42-year-old from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, was arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly, a 23-year-old from Nuneaton was held for an alleged public order offence, and a 44-year-old man from Walsall, West Midlands, was arrested on suspicion of affray.

A 17-year-old from Nuneaton was held on suspicion of being in possession of a bladed article.

A spokeswoman said: "We are grateful for the support of local communities for today's operation and apologise for any unavoidable disruption caused to local residents, most of whom were able to go about their normal business. The vast majority of shopkeepers and market traders opened as normal although two car parks and a small number of roads had to be temporarily closed. Police inquiries and investigations in relation to those arrested will continue over the weekend and beyond."

The spokeswoman said officers were maintaining "a higher than normal visible presence" in the town.

Seven people were arrested during protests held in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, on Saturday.

About 500 English Defence League protesters took part in a march, police said, and 60 anti-fascist protesters held a counter demonstration.

Three people were charged with public disorder offences and will appear before magistrates.

A teenage boy was given a "warning" for possessing a knife. Three more people have been released on bail.

Two of the bailed men were arrested on suspicion of causing affray and another arrested on suspicion of robbery.