North West Infidels demonstration in Rochdale town centre

Rochdale Online chose not to publicise or cover the demonstration in the town centre, however a statement from the leader of the Council, Councillor Richard Farnell, makes a number of important points, not least that the police should not have allowed the demonstration to take place on Rochdale's main shopping street.

Councillor Farnell said: "The demonstration in Rochdale by a small gang of louts was a disgrace. These extremist thugs are not from Rochdale and are not welcome in our town.

"They caused fear and distress among shoppers and cost local shops hundreds of pounds in lost trade.

"The cost of the police operation - to police a rabble of just 30 people at most - must have run into tens of thousands of pounds with over 100 police officers deployed in the town centre. That is a scandalous waste of scarce resources at a time when Rochdale has lost 150 bobbies from the beat and crime is rising.

"Local store managers complain that quite often the Police fail to attend when a shoplifter is detained and they are able to walk away scot free. Yet thousands has been wasted on policing this racist crowd shouting obscenities at shoppers.

"I am disappointed in the Police in allowing these yobs to demonstrate right in the heart of the shopping centre causing huge disruption on the busiest shopping day of the week. It wouldn't have been allowed to happen in Manchester's main shopping street.

"I have written to the Police and Crime Commissioner demanding a full explanation."

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To Tony Lloyd
Police and Crime Commissioner for Greater Manchester

Dear Tony

I am quite upset that GMP allowed a group of 30 thugs to parade up and down Rochdale's main shopping street today. They were shouting highly offensive remarks and a high number of shoppers felt extremely threatened. They disrupted trade and will have cost traders hundreds of pounds in lost sales - which they can ill afford to lose.

We are working hard to regenerate our town centre and attract more shoppers to help local businesses. This kind of loutish demonstration on the most important shopping day of the week is the last thing we need. These extremist hate-mongers have absolutely nothing to do with Rochdale, so why were they allowed to disrupt our shopping street and intimidate local residents?

I very much doubt they would have been allowed to parade down Market Street in Manchester shouting their filth and obscenities. So why were they allowed to cause so much disruption to Rochdale's shopping centre?

Why did GMP not direct these unwelcome people away from the town centre? I feel the Police have let our town down badly today. I require an assurance from yourself and the Chief Constable that this will not be allowed to happen again.

Richard Farnell
Leader of Rochdale Council