Hundreds of Anti-immigration protesters draped in English flags march outside Town Hall in Nuneaton
The protest comes in response to two men, who are reportedly Afghan asylum seekers, who were charged over the rape of a 12-year-old girl in the town.
Ahmad Mulakhil, 23, had been charged with rape and Mohammad Kabir, 23, was charged with kidnap, strangulation and aiding and abetting rape of a girl under 13 after an alleged incident in Nuneaton.
Nuneaton and Bedworth police said there was one arrest at the protest, a 17-year-old boy for making threats to cause criminal damage and remains in custody.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and the youngest council leader in the country, George Finch, who is leader of Warwickshire County Council, claimed there had been a "cover-up", something which the force denies.
A group of Stand Up to Racism counter-protesters gathered outside the town hall with placards and a banner which read "Stop the far right".
The two groups were separated with police officers and police vehicles near the Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council building.
People protesting against immigration then led a march through the Warwickshire town centre. Some protesters carried flags while others wore masks covering parts of their faces as they walked from the Town Hall, up Queen's Road, along Stratford Street, and down Abbey Street before heading back towards the Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council building.
They chanted "no more HMOs", "stop the boats" and "we want our country back".
A group of Stand Up To Racism protesters left the Town Hall in Nuneaton while others followed them. People carrying Union Jack flags shouted "scum" and "get them out" as they walked through the Ropewalk Shopping Centre. Shoppers stopped to watch while police escorted the group.
A large police presence was in force as protesters carried flags and played songs such as Rule Britannia, the national anthem, and Sweet Caroline.
On Friday, Mr Finch urged protesters to act in a "peaceful manner" during demonstrations. The 19-year-old said he was "deeply concerned" that protests could be "hijacked by agitators who seek to cause disorder and division within our community".
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has called for more transparency from police about suspects, and said it was an 'operational decision' for forces and the Crown Prosecution Service over what details to release.
Ms Cooper said "we do think more transparency is needed" in the information given by police.
Mr Farage has suggested he believes the immigration status of suspects charged with crimes should be made available.
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Telegraph
4 hours ago
- Telegraph
White working-class pupils ‘written off' by society, admits Phillipson
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Telegraph
9 hours ago
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‘Don't share pictures of shoplifters – it breaks data protection rules'
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The Guardian
9 hours ago
- The Guardian
CDC union says vaccine misinformation put staff at risk after Atlanta shooting
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