Ban urged on far-right rally; POLITICS: Fears after earlier march sparked violence.

Byline: Jane Tyler

WEST Midlands Police have been urged to step in and ban a far-right group from holding a march in Birmingham next month to avoid a repeat of the shocking scenes of violence witnessed earlier this month.

White nationalist organisation The English Defence Leas gue (EDL) and an associated group, Casuals United, are due to hold a rally against Islamic extremism in the city on September 5. Their first demonstration on August 8 ended with violence as supporters clashed with antiracism campaigners.

Respect councillor Salma Yaqoob, said she expected more street violence if EDL returned.

"When it comes to public safety we have every right to intervene," she said. "But the 'just stay away' message we are hearing won't wash with today's Muslim youngsters who won't put their heads down and carry on walking when they are subjected to racist taunts. They will react and fight back."

Yesterday, those at a public meeting to discuss how the city should deal with the group's next visit voted unanimously that police should have the demonstration banned.

West Midlands Police were urged to join forces with Birmingham City Council to apply to the home secretary for a banning order under Section 13 of the Public Order Act.

The August rally in Birmingham saw 35 people arrested, and running battles between protesters and police in riot gear in Victoria Square and New Street.

Chief Insp Adrian Atherley, head of West Midlands Police's diversity and community cohesion unit, said: "Obtaining a Section 13 ban requires the chief constable to go to the local authority to say in the event of a march I cannot police the streets and the local authority has to apply to the home secretary."

But he said their decision was constantly reviewed and he would feed the comments back to the Chief Constable.

OUR SAY: PAGE 44

CAPTION(S):

Unrest: An English Defence League supporter taunts police.