Demo plan: Police set up meeting.

Byline: Neil Elkes

POLICE and council bosses will meet during the next 48 hours to decide whether or not to ban planned demonstrations by anti-extremist groups to avoid a repeat of disorder in the city centre last month.

The anti-Islamic Extremism group The English and Welsh Defence League is planning a demonstration in Birmingham City Centre on Saturday, September 5, and if it goes ahead anti-racists group Unite Against Fascism is expected to launch a counter-protest prompting fears of violence.

Clashes in the city centre earlier this month led to 35 arrests for alleged public order offences.

Birmingham's equality chief Coun Alan Rudge has ordered a full risk assessment by all local authorities involved, including various council departments, police and emergency services, and said a meeting would be held today or tomorrow to decide whether or not protests could go ahead.

He said he believes New Street and the main shopping areas are not suitable places for demonstrations.

"Our economy is in fragile state and retailers need all the help they can get. They do not need shoppers being scared away," he added.

Police do not have the power to ban all protests, but can ask the Home Secretary to ban a march - when protesters are moving - if they believe there is a serious risk of public disorder.