Mass brawl between right-wing group and anti-fascists as race riots spill onto streets of Birmingham

It was supposed to be a “peaceful” protest by a group opposed to Islamic law and what it perceives as radical Islam. Or at least that is how the right-wing English Defence League (EDL) would have liked Saturday’s demonstration to be received.

But many had their doubts. Chief among them, the West Midlands Police, which spent the previous fortnight meeting Muslim community leaders to ensure that they told their followers to stay away.

Less than a month earlier, a visit by EDL supporters to the city ended in a feud between them and counter-demonstrators, mainly of Asian backgrounds, and 35 people were arrested.

About 100 EDL supporters descended on Birmingham on Saturday morning, some carrying signs reading “Islamic Extremists Out” and “Make Britain Safe”. Others screamed insults against Allah and Islam as they made their way to the Figure of Eight pub on Broad Street.

They remained “completely well behaved” on the premises, according to Mark Tanner, the pub’s manager. The demonstrators left the pub at approximately 2pm and headed for their allocated protest site at Lancaster Circus.

By that point, The Timesunderstands that police had arrested 21 counter-demonstrators, mainly of Muslim backgrounds, at Waterloo Street and Digbeth High Street.

About 30 or so counter-protesters clashed with EDL supporters as they made their way to Lancaster Circus. They punched and threw bottles before police intervened. About 60 counter-protesters then tried to storm Bennetts Wine Bar where some EDL supporters were being held by police.

“They wore bandanas over their faces and were shouting and screaming,” said Sarah Edwards, a witness. “We were so scared ... It’s shocking to see this in our streets.”

Down on his knees as his attackers' feet fly in, this man's face was left a bloodied mess.

It was just one of the sickening scenes photographed when a riot erupted in a city centre after Right-wing protesters clashed with anti-fascist demonstrators.

Bottles, sticks and banners were thrown as police in riot gear struggled to stop the skirmishes in Birmingham. In all, 35 people were arrested - mainly for disorder.

Out of control: The man is kicked and stamped on as demonstrators went wild

Bloodied: Later police officers speak to the injured victim

Police knew both demonstrations were planned and let them go ahead as a sign of 'a healthy democracy'.

Witness Gary Nichols said: 'It started off with a group of white guys who were chanting, "England, England". I thought they were just football fans, but then a larger group of black and Asian people turned up and it all kicked off. You had people burning the Union flag. People were being kicked, some weren't anything to do with the protests.'

The rival groups had each held peaceful protests at different ends of the city centre before the trouble flared at around 7pm on Saturday.

Carnage: Demonstrators clash with police during the Right-wing protest in Birmingham

Out for the count: A protester lies injured following the demonstration in central Birmingham

Attacked: A man with a Union Jack flag is seemingly attacked after the protest sparked violence

The Right-wing protesters were from the English and Welsh Defence League, formed after British soldiers were abused by Islamic radicals at a homecoming parade in Luton earlier this year.

Their critics say they include soccer hooligans intent on inciting violence.

They claim to be a 'multicultural organisation against militant Islam' which has 'no issues with Muslims who wish us no harm'.

The Unite Against Fascism group meanwhile is an umbrella organisation formed by the Anti-Nazi League and the National Assembly Against Racism in response to the rising electoral threat of the BNP.

On its website it urged people to join the protest to 'show these thugs their brand of vicious racism is not wanted'.

Chaos erupted when the opposing factions clashed in New Street, which runs between where the respective protests where held.

Casualty: Police attend to a man after he was attacked

Disorder: The clashes saw 31 people arrested

Shopper Emily Bridgewater said: 'There was stampeding and screaming. We ended up being locked in Primark, the shutters came down and the alarms went off as the riot police tried to regain control of the street.'

At least three people were injured before the worst of the violence was brought under control by 8.30pm.

Birmingham MP Khalid Mahmood questioned the wisdom of allowing the two protests to be held simultaneously. He said: 'Certainly if there was going to be rallies by both these groups at the same time it would always lead to confrontation.'

Police were aware the Right-wing protest had been planned through social networking sites but said no formal request to march was submitted. They had however been in talks with the UAF about its demonstration.

Chief Inspector Mark Payne said: 'It is important to be aware we have no powers to ban or stop peaceful protests and would not seek to do so.

'However, if criminal acts or racially aggravated incidents are reported, then police will arrest and prosecute anyone responsible.'

Trouble brewing: A man appears to argue with police officers