Ban on marches 'could radicalise protesters'

The Home Secretary should lift the ban on marches in a city or risk making protesters more radical, a think-tank said today.

Banning protests from extremist groups was an ineffective way of combating their ideology, Demos said.

The warning comes as police in Bradford continue to plan for clashes between supporters of the English Defence League (EDL) and their opponents this weekend - despite Home Secretary Theresa May authorising a blanket ban on marches in the city.

Jamie Bartlett, a researcher at Demos, said banning the march "could push members of the English Defence League into more radical groups like Combat 18 or the Racial Volunteer Force".

"Far from being destructive, protest can be an important outlet for that anger and frustration that could tip into violence and helps people to feel a sense of belonging to the society in which they live," he said.

"The Government should show that being radical or extreme is acceptable in an open and free society like the UK. The same rules must apply to everyone, whether they are radical Islamist groups or the English Defence League.

"Preventing non-violent protest means others do not have the chance to counter-protest and demonstrate the strength of opinion against them. There may be some clashes and serious disagreement, but this is part of living in a liberal society."

The far-right group EDL planned to march through Bradford on Saturday, and Unite Against Fascism had planned a protest in the city on the same day.

But the Home Secretary authorised a blanket ban on marches in the city last week following a request by West Yorkshire chief constable Sir Norman Bettison.

Sir Norman said he was taking the action after considering the "understandable concerns of the community".

Police and council chiefs welcomed the ban, but warned possible static demonstrations may still go ahead.

The proposed protests have raised fears of a possible repeat of the devastating 2001 riots following an attempted march by the National Front.