MAIL ONLINE: There were angry clashes in a city centre today as right-wing protesters fought with anti-fascist campaigners in a busy shopping street.
A planned demonstration by The English Defence League in central Birmingham descended into violence as the group charged along New Street, close to the city's main train station.
More than 20 men have been arrested.
'There were about 250 people in total, fighting and throwing bottles at each other,' one onlooker said.
The disorder spilled onto the adjoining Bennetts Hill, a street lined with a number of pubs, popular with shoppers.
Dozens of riot police worked to contain the disturbance and a police helicopter hovered overhead.
A police spokeswoman said there had been 'pockets' of trouble. West Midlands Police said it would deal with anti-social behaviour or criminal activity connected to the protests 'robustly' after a demonstration last month turned violent. >>> | Saturday, September 05, 2009
