Battleground London: Antifa v EDL

The far right group EDL descended on London over the weekend and were met by a large presence of Antifa counter protestors. Police cordoned off 2 separate areas in Central London for both groups to congregate before escorting them to separate designated protest areas along Victoria Embankment. As EDL were being escorted into their protest pen, tensions rose between a few Antifa counter protest stragglers. Insults and profanities were thrown between them with a few actually coming to blows. Police were able to quickly gain control and escort the few Antifa counter protestors away from the main EDL group.

Despite the hostilities between the groups, and a few minor clashes, the police were able to keep them apart the whole afternoon.

Far right groups have become a more common site on the streets of the UK ever since the Brexit vote on June 23rd 2016. The rise of far these groups has not only become a concern for the general public but also the police and intelligent services.