Busloads of activists from far-right group the Scottish Defence League are set to converge on Dundee City Centre today, intent on disrupting the Dundee Together anti-racism and anti-fascism rally due to be held in the city square.
According to sources close to the SDL, former high-profile members of the British National Party are planning to join the SDL’s demonstration in the city, despite a ban on them gathering in the city square.
One source, who asked not to be named, told The Courier: ”I think there is going to be a battle royal on Saturday if they get anywhere near the city square.”
However, Tayside Police Assistant Chief Constable Angela Wilson says she does not anticipate any trouble and says they have been working with the SDL on their travel preparations.
She added that, with several events taking place across the city, extra officers will be on duty to ensure no trouble breaks out.
She said: ”Planning for this has been under way for several months and our commanders have experience of other similar events across Scotland.
”Our top priorities are public safety along with minimum disruption to the public. We will have a community-based policing style, mixing with the people in the city square.
“There are a number of other events happening across the city, including the Flower and Food Festival at Camperdown Park, an organ recital in the Caird Hall and a group of submariners meeting.
”So we will have a number of police on duty and we have other officers available.”
The Courier source said two busloads of SDL supporters are expected from Edinburgh and Glasgow, arriving around noon and meeting up at a pub somewhere outside the city centre.
”There are some ex-BNP members’ names being mentioned and if they come up, there will be trouble,” he said. ”The SDL said there was no BNP people involved but that’s not what we’re hearing.”
Ms Wilson said the force doesn’t anticipate any more than the 170 people who demonstrated in Glasgow in February, when more than 200 officers were drafted in from all over Strathclyde to form a cordon to keep SDL protestors and Anti-Fascist League supporters apart.
”We don’t anticipate any trouble but we do have contingency plans in place in case there is,” she said.
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