Public order arrests following Nuneaton Gurkha parade

[dutchman]

Seven people have been arrested for public order offences following clashes after a parade in Warwickshire.



About 1,000 people watched the Queen's Gurkha Signals parade in Nuneaton on Sunday to mark the unit being given the Freedom of the borough.

The arrests happened when the English Defence League clashed with officers as they were ordered to disperse, police said.

The force is now studying CCTV footage as part of its investigation.

Ch Insp Adrian Knight, from Warwickshire Police, said the parade itself passed off without incident.

"Post parade there were several incidents of minor disorder which were dealt with," he said.

CCTV 'invaluable'

The arrests were for possession of an offensive weapon, breach of the peace, failing to comply with a notice requiring someone to leave the locality and public order offences.

Mr Knight added: "The town's CCTV system was invaluable, as it provided me with an overview of the event which enabled me to make appropriate deployments of officers.

"We were able to intervene early on and make arrests. This worked extremely well and prevented any major disorder."

Those arrested were aged between 17 and 43.

Two people have been released on police bail. One has received a reprimand and another a fixed penalty notice.

Three others have been released with no further action.

Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council awarded the Freedom of Entry to the regiment - the highest honour a council can award to a serving unit of the armed forces.

The 2nd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, was presented with Freedom of Entry to the borough earlier this month.