BNP protests lead to 33 arrests

Extra police officers were brought in to control the march

Police have been continuing to question 33 people arrested following protests at a British National Party (BNP) festival in Derbyshire.

Arrests were made on Saturday after about 40 demonstrators clashed with riot police outside the BNP's annual event in Denby.

Further arrests were made the same day as protesters dispersed in Heanor.

About 250 officers, including some armed with batons were deployed, as well as dogs and a force helicopter.

Earlier some 700 demonstrators from Notts Stop the BNP, the TUC and Unison took part in a march from the nearby village of Codnor.

Barricade thwarted

Extra officers were drafted in to control the march as a group of protesters tried to break a police cordon which had been put in place.

They waved placards as they walked down the village high street to the field where the festival was being held.

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. Hence then the police had to inconvenience local people."

Earlier in the week police in Derbyshire invoked special public order laws to restrict the number of people who planned to demonstrate in protest at the BNP festival.