Police 'pleased' at peaceful demo

Protesters were arrested at an earlier march through the city centre

Police have said they are pleased a protest by anti-war demonstrators which brought the centre of Brighton to a standstill passed off peacefully.

About 150 protesters opposed to weapons company EDO MBM, based in the city, marched through the shopping centre.

Four people were arrested on a similar march in August but no arrests were made at Saturday's protest.

Demonstrators refused to reveal their route to police but sent it to a local newspaper in a letter for publication.

Shopping centre

The "Smash EDO" group is banned from protesting within 50m of the company's premises at Home Farm Business Park by a temporary injunction.

Saturday's demonstrators gathered at Churchill Square shopping centre and marched to North Road, where they gathered at the Level.

Supt Kevin Moore said he was able to deploy officers accordingly after protesters, for the first time, revealed the route of one of their marches.

"This was one of the busiest weekends in Brighton and I hope the organisers will see how well it has gone," he said.

"I now hope the organisers will keep us informed of future events."

Protesters claim EDO MBM made weapons for the war in Iraq and are calling for the company to stop production or move out of the city.

David Jones, the company's managing director, said: "Everyone has the right to protest... however, they have the wrong target.

"I believe they are trying to change government policy. Targeting a company on the coast does very little."