WEST Midlands Police has hailed today’s policing operation in Dudley Town Centre as a success.

Hundreds of officers were drafted into the town to help police protests by the English Defence League (EDL) and Unite Against Fascism (UAF).

Police arrested nine people throughout the day as both the EDL and UAF aired their views at separate events in the town.

Five people were arrested for possessing offensive weapons, two for public order offences and two for criminal damage.

Officers are also currently investigating alleged thefts from shops and reports of criminal damage.

Police estimate around 2,000 EDL supporters attended today’s protest, while 1,500 from the UAF attended the multi-faith celebration being held in Stafford Street.

At one point, EDL members broke through barriers at their protest site as they were about to be escorted back to their coaches, but they were quickly contained by police and directed to waiting vehicles that took them away after the event’s 4pm deadline had passed.

Chief Inspector Mark Payne said: “This has been a successful operation, due in no small part to the excellent work between police, our partner agencies Dudley Council, West Midlands Ambulance Service and British Transport Police and representatives of our communities.

“A great deal of mediation also went on behind the scenes with both the EDL and UAF organisers to enable them to exercise their democratic right to protest.

“That negotiation led to the two groups employing their own stewards who played a significant role in attempting to maintain order.”

He added: “We recognise that the people of Dudley have been both concerned and inconvenienced and we would like to thank them for their tolerance, co-operation and patience.”

Only two people were injured in the disorders – one which included a leader of the EDL who was treated for a minor head wound. Neither required hospital treatment.

Assistant Chief Constable Suzette Davenport said: “Our priority will always be the safety of the public and protesters whilst ensuring events like these do not impact on the longer term stability of Dudley’s communities.

“Whilst we will always uphold the democratic right to protest, organisations intent on disorder or provoking violence will continue to be unwelcome in the West Midlands.”