Police "aware" of EDL protests against Muslim centre in Shotton Colliery

Local newspaper, The Northern Echo, reports that police are “aware” of a planned protest by the English Defence League (EDL) and the North East Infidels (NEI) on Saturday November 9 against plans to establish a Muslim education centre in Shotton Colliery.

This will be the second time the former village has been subject to protests by the EDL and NEI over the plans for the education centre. Last December, Muslims had to flee the village before the EDL arrived amid fears of personal safety.

Around 200 EDL supporters converged on Shotton Colliery to protest plans by local businessman, Kaiser Choudry, to convert a former pub into an education centre for the local community.

Planning permission has since been granted to the facility, which plans to be open to all residents of the community however, the centre remains closed.

Police have said they will maintain a presence in the area.

A spokesman for Durham Police said on Thursday: “We are aware of a planned EDL protest and counter-protest by TWAFA on Saturday in Shotton Colliery.

“We have resources in place and are working hard to ensure minimum disruption to the local community and that normality is restored as quickly as possible once the protest is over.

“We have a duty to allow peaceful protest and protect all those present at the event.”