Source: The Sentinel
TAXI firms suspended services in Stoke-on-Trent following police warnings and threats from right-wing extremists.
Most of the city’s largest private hire companies stopped running between 11pm on Saturday and 4am yesterday to protect drivers and passengers.
It followed advice from Staffordshire Police in the wake of violence which erupted at the English Defence League (EDL) rally, in Hanley, on Saturday afternoon.
Six police officers were hurt and a police car wrecked during a series of scuffles.
And it has emerged some taxi firms also received phone calls from individuals threatening to target Asian and Muslim drivers.
Basharat Hussein, who runs Auto Cab Private Hire, in Normacot, said his firm was among those targeted.
The 41-year-old manager said: “We were having threatening calls over the phone and were scared for the safety of our drivers and our customers.
“They were threatening to target our drivers because many of them are Asian or Muslim.
“We had also been getting advice from the police before the demonstration and therefore decided not to go out.”
Mohammed Mushtaq, aged 36, manager of Tunstall-based City Centre Private Hire, said he took the decision to suspend services following a call from the police.
He said: “One of the sergeants at Tunstall rang and warned us that if we did go out, it would be at our own risk.
“The police said anyone working in and around Cobridge was particularly at risk.
“We carried on until about 10pm, but, after the police warning, we decided it was not worth the risk.
“The drivers were too scared to carry on, so we stopped all services between 11pm and 4am.”
Other companies which stopped running on Saturday night included Magnum Taxis, of Burslem, and Lucky Seven Private Hire, of Longton.
Following the protest, Staffordshire Police said they were confident of adding to the 17 arrests made during the demonstrations as they piece together footage from the day’s ugly scenes.
Recordings from both the city centre’s network of CCTV cameras, along with footage captured at ground level by officers will be used to capture dozens more thugs who wreaked havoc across Hanley.
Police say all those arrested were associated with the English Defence League.
Of the 17, two were from Stoke-on-Trent and one was from Keele. The three local protesters have been bailed pending further inquiries.
A large number, who had travelled from areas including Norfolk, Lancashire, Birmingham, Humberside and Wiltshire were arrested for racial and religious public order offences and will appear at North Staffordshire Magistrates Court next month.
Early estimates put the number of demonstrators at up to 3,000, but revised figures show about 1,300 people attended.
Roughly 400 counter-protesters attended the demonstration, made up from organisations including the North Staffordshire Campaign Against Racism and Fascism (NorSCARF), United Against Fascism (UAF), trade unions, Staffordshire University and Love Music, Hate Racism.
Police deployed 600 officers, with cover being brought in from other forces.
Officers kept the two factions separate, with EDL members held at The Reginald Mitchell pub, Parliament Row, before moving into Old Hall Street.
The anti-fascism protesters were kept in Albion Street, by Hanley Town Hall.
During the near-five-hour long demonstrations, a string of police officers were injured.
Two officers from Staffordshire Police required hospital treatment after one was punched in the face and another suffered serious arm injuries.
Four officers from visiting forces also required treatment.
An unmanned police car was also wrecked, with a number of other police vehicles targeted.
A member of the public also suffered minor injuries.
Superintendent Dave Mellor, from Stoke-on-Trent police division, said more arrests could be made as inquiries continue.
He said: “Officers will now be reviewing CCTV, video and other evidence gathered to pursue those identified committing offences.
“It has been a challenging operation, but it’s a challenge we have met and continue to meet.
“Our officers dealt with the extreme provocation well and I feel proud of their actions.
“It would have been a real success if no-one had been arrested and the protests were peaceful, but that was not the case.”
Earlier in the day EDL graffiti had been daubed on Gilani Noor Mosque, Normacot.
Mr Mellor described the act as despicable, saying: “In the early hours we became aware of some criminal damage to a mosque and it was quickly attended to.
“We urge witnesses who know anything of this despicable crime to come forward.”
He said: “I am disappointed a group of people came to the city intent on causing disorder, but pleased we dealt with them effectively.”
After the demonstration broke up at about 4.30pm there were reports of clashes between protesters and police in Cobridge, Northwood and Central Forest Park.
Officers also maintained a strong presence at Stoke train station.
The demonstrations left a number of traders feeling the pinch as shoppers avoided the city centre.
A string of shops and market traders closed early after branding it the worst day for trade they had ever witnessed.
Mark and Tina Cooper, aged 48, have run a fruit and veg stall in Fountain Square for eight to 10 years.
Mark, aged 49, said: “My takings were down 90 per cent compared to the Saturday before.
“It was the quietest day I have ever known. We usually go about 5pm, but packed up at 2pm.
Alan Gardiner, who runs the Sentimental Cards market stall, also packed up early.
The 49-year-old said: “I didn’t pack up early because I was scared of the demonstration, but it was just pointless being there because it was so quiet.”
Shop worker Sam Ellis had never witnessed the city centre so quiet on a Saturday.
The 16-year-old, who works at Mr Simms Olde Sweet Shop, Tontine Street, said: “I think we took about a third of what we usually do on a Saturday.”
Other businesses based close to The Reginald Mitchell braved the demonstration.
Pete and Lesley Scragg run Fresh ‘N’ Fancy sandwich shop, in Parliament Row.
Lesley, aged 52, said: “We wanted to keep open because of our regular customers, but we were really quiet.
“When they first started chanting and shouting you were taken aback, but there are so many police.”
Shoppers who did brave the town centre said they did not want to allow the demonstrations to disrupt their routine.
Jean Farrington, aged 75, from Stoke, said: “I wasn’t going to let it stop me.”
Graham Thwaites, aged 59, of Joiners Square, said: “You can understand why some of the protesters are here. There are no jobs for them and they must feel so frustrated.”
Kayleigh Garner, aged 22, from Blythe Bridge, was less sympathetic.
She said: “We are one community and should just get along.”
Council workers worked throughout the night in the city centre to clear the mess and debris caused by the trouble.
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