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Up to 350 right and left wing protesters in Dover today

The largest right wing protest in Dover so far this year will be met by a left wing counter demonstration as Kent Police call in more than 700 extra officers.

Up to 350 protesters are expected to attend marches and a gig over the weekend, with right wingers hosting a Nazi Blood and Honour event under the guise of 'Rock Against Immigration', according to a blog on the Kent Anti Racism Network website.

It states: “If we want fewer Nazis in Dover on the 28 May, then we have to ensure that the gig doesn’t go ahead.”

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Police surround marchers at a previous event
Police surround marchers at a previous event

All four acts on the bill are white power bands including Redneck 28, Section 88, Gentleman Thugs and March or Die. The location of this gig is still unknown.

Deputy Chief Constable Paul Brandon told KentOnline police would like to ban the protests but said the threshold of violence and disruption is not high enough.

He said: "The level we would have to meet is the type of disorder that took place during the London riots - petrol bombing, looting, the most serious level of disorder.

"If we thought there was any opportunity to ban the demonstrations we would, but we don't have the evidence on this occasion."

For the first time the Chief Constable has imposed conditions on the marchers in order to minimise disruption to local people.

The right wing march is not meant to start until 4pm and the route has been changed.

Instead of going down the high street as on previous occasions, marchers will be taken through the underpass and onto the promenade, where they will demonstrate near the port area.

Right wing demonstrators at a previous event in Dover. Picture: Alan Langley
Right wing demonstrators at a previous event in Dover. Picture: Alan Langley

Over the weekend officers will have enhanced stop and search powers under the Public Order Act 1994, so will not have to demonstrate 'reasonable suspicion' before searching someone.

Kent Police say this is to deter people from bringing weapons to the protests.

Officers from forces across the south east - including the Met - have been drafted in to work alongside mounted police and dog handlers.

Kent Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott said: “The operational decisions taken by Kent Police aim to keep Dover moving, protect the public and facilitate freedom of speech and I have met with chief officers to discuss and scrutinise the proposals for this weekend.

“In the long-term, we need to look at modernising the legislation governing this issue, which is 30 years old, and update it to address the challenges we face here in Kent.

“People intent on causing disorder are not welcome in this county and as Kent Police has shown previously; they will relentlessly pursue those who commit criminal acts.”

“The town and surrounding roads will be busier than usual given it is a bank holiday weekend, and without certain restrictions on the time and locations of the planned demonstrations we believe there would be an unacceptably high risk of serious disruption to the general public, businesses, visitors and those travelling in and around Dover.

“The restrictions will make the environment safer for both sets of demonstrators in addition to members of the public and police officers.

“It is important to stress that there will still be some disruption in the town, which even with all the best plans in place cannot be avoided.

"However, we hope to enable members of the community to go about their daily routines as much as possible.”

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