English Defence League plan march through Manchester city centre next month

Hundreds of far right activists have so far signed up for the rally on Saturday, March 7, branded with the slogan ‘there is no surrender’

The English Defence League are set to march through Manchester city centre next month.

Around 500 far right activists have so far signed up for the rally on Saturday, March 7, branded with the slogan ‘there is no surrender’.

Anti-fascist opponents have described the event as an ‘insult to everyone’ - and are trying to marshall counter-demonstrators.

It comes after five people were arrested during a march by EDL splinter group North West Infidels over the weekend, which saw demonstrators march through the centre of Oldham.

Two of the arrests were for breach of the peace, two for racially aggravated public order offences and one for anti-social behaviour.

The latest EDL plans for Manchester have been met with short shrift by the council.

City centre spokesman Pat Karney said: “Their sole intention is to bring division and hatred to the streets of Manchester. Manchester people are too sensible and won’t fall for these shenanigans.

“They have been to Manchester twice before so we will be working closely with police to minimise any disruption to the city.”

The last time the EDL organised a rally in Manchester was two years ago, prompting fears of violence and major disruption.

Some 700 supporters - opposed by around 350 anti-fascists - flocked to Albert Square for a tense stand-off that cost police £50,000 to secure and led to 15 arrests.

But it was relatively calm compared to their previous major rally in Piccadilly Gardens in 2009, which brought the city centre to a standstill and saw more than 40 arrests - costing the police around £800,000.

On that occasion there were more anti-fascist counter-demonstrators than EDL supporters themselves, leading some to accuse Unite Against Facism of simply ratcheting up tensions.

But in a statement ahead of March 7 - backed by a string of local trade unionists, as well as north west Labour MEP Julie Ward - the group said there was ‘no place’ for the EDL in Manchester’s multiracial, multicultural and multi-faith community’ and called its rally an ‘insult to everyone’.

It urges the public to help block fascim through ‘broad-based inclusive campaigns’ - and calls for a ‘united protest’ against the EDL at next month’s event.

Benwell MUSLIM appears in court to face sex offence charges

Abdul Kawsar joins 20 more suspects who were charged earlier this month as part of Operation Sanctuary.

A man has appeared in court accused of sex offences as part of the Operation Sanctuary probe.

Abdul Kawsar joins a further 20 suspects who were charged earlier this month following a 13-month investigation into allegations of offences committed against vulnerable women and girls across the North East.

The 34-year-old was in the dock for a brief hearing at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court where he entered no pleas to one allegation of sexual assault and one of administering a substance with intent to stupefy or overpower to allow sexual activity.

The court heard the charges related to a female victim, aged over 16.

So far, 31 people have been charged as part of the operation.

Kawsar, of Fairholm Road, Benwell, was bailed so his case could be heard alongside the 20 other suspects, who have already been sent to Newcastle Crown Court.

Sue Baker, prosecuting, said Kawsar’s alleged offences date from February 4, 2014.

She said: “The defendant is charged under the sexual offences act, which should be sent to the crown court. This is part of Operation Shelter, which is part of Northumbria Police’s Operation Sanctuary.

“The other co-defendants are due before the crown court on January 17 next week. I would ask that this defendant is sent to appear on the same date.”

Kashif Khan, defending, made no representations.

Kawsar was released on conditional bail until his next appearance at Newcastle Crown Court on February 17.

Speaking after the previous 20 suspects were charged earlier this month, Deputy Chief Constable Steve Ashman, who is leading the investigation, said: “Today marks a milestone in this operation. Since the first allegations were made over a year ago we have painstakingly left no stone unturned in our efforts to investigate all allegations.

Deputy Chief Constable of Northumbria Police Steve Ashman talks about Operation Sanctuary
“We have worked closely with a range of other agencies including the local authority and CPS to reach this point. We are limited in what we can say as we must now protect the integrity of the criminal proceedings and must avoid any statements that could breach legal restrictions and put prosecutions at risk.

“To date, this part of the investigation has involved speaking to over 100 potential complainants, a dozen of whom have been identified as victims in relation to today’s charges.

“This has been done carefully with support from other professionals and I must commend them all for their bravery in working with us.

“The welfare of victims is our priority and we have worked closely with other agencies to ensure they have the appropriate support in place.

“Operation Sanctuary will not end. It is a wide ranging investigation into many different crimes of a sexual nature against vulnerable women and girls. Today’s charges are just one element of this.

“I would encourage anyone who wants to report such crimes to police to do so. They will be believed and they will be supported.

“We have had tremendous support from the public and businesses and we need this to continue. I would urge people to be vigilant and if something doesn’t look or feel right I would ask them to contact us.

“Some people or groups may try to use Operation Sanctuary to build resentment. Our community has a history of harmonious relations and is one of tolerance. Anyone experiencing hate crime should report it to police and be reassured we will investigate thoroughly.

“By working together, we can continue to ensure out towns and cities are safe places to live, work and visit.”

Child SEX gang victims were “sacrificed' by the Labour party so they did not lose the votes from the Muslim community.

SEX gang victims were “sacrificed' to avoid Labour losing votes in the Asian community, it was claimed.

One woman said a probe into the Rotherham scandal over-looked the fight for votes.

Known as Jessica, she said local politicians “buried the truth to suit their own ends”.

She said: “I’ve said all along that this has been about two things – money and power,.

“Girls like me were sacrificed because no-one wanted the boat rocked because they knew it’d cost them votes if the finger of blame was pointed and because they thought we were worthless.”

Solicitor Dave Greenwood, who represents 38 victims, added: “There was an echelon of people who scratched each other’s backs.

“But I think there’s an ‘X Factor’ at play here. It’s quite apparent there was a feeling of the need to maintain the Asian vote to preserve Labour’s majority in the town.”

Last week a government probe headed by Louise Casey attacked “a culture of bullying, political correctness, incompetence and cover-up”.

Nobody from the Labour party was available last night.

CCTV released after beheading threat to cadets outside Gateshead Territorial Army Centre

Two men threatened to behead the teenage girls as they left the TA centre late at night, sending shockwaves through the community

Two men are being hunted by police after teenage cadets were threatened with beheading outside a Tyneside Army reserve base.

The chilling verbal attack was yesterday been described as “horrendous” by community leaders.

The two girls, both aged under 18, were targeted as they left the Territorial Army centre in Gateshead.

Police believe they were threatened by two men in a car with what appeared to be Dutch number plates on Alexandra Road near the centre.

Officers have released CCTV images of two Asian or black men in a car who they wish to speak to in connection with the incident.

The threats were said to include beheading.

It is understood the girls were not in uniform at the time but the incident has once again sparked debate about public visibility of those connected to the armed forces.

Northumberland and North East Fusilier Association chairman Major Chester Potts said: “It’s a sad state of affairs that people feel they can threaten innocent young people on the streets of Britain.”

The Army Reserve Centre on Alexandra Road, GatesheadThe Army Reserve Centre on Alexandra Road, Gateshead
Former RAF serviceman John Murray, 83, from North Tyneside, said the incident was “deplorable” and called for more support for forces personnel.

Babaji Davender Ghai, president of the Newcastle-based Anglo Asian Friendship Society, said: “There should be no place for this in society. They should be punished.

“We need to go into schools and educate our young people on integration because this sort of behaviour is happening far too often all over the world.”

Krishan Kant Attri, a Hindu chaplain to the armed forces, said the actions of the “mindless” few makes his “blood boil.” Mr Attri, of Chapel House in Newcastle, said: “It is a horrendous incident which is going to shock the whole community. I am sure it is only a handful of mindless people who are causing these things.

“People need to be aware of what is going on.”

He added: “These children are not interested in party politics, it must be terrifying for them.

“It makes my blood boil to think about what has happened.”

The Army Reserve Centre on Alexandra Road GatesheadThe Army Reserve Centre on Alexandra Road Gateshead
In 2013, Fusilier Lee Rigby was attacked and killed by Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale near the Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich, London.

The Chronicle understands that cadets at some centres are asked to cover their uniform while walking to and from the squadron, but the Ministry of Defence said there is no ban in place.

The parent of a 16-year-old air training corp cadet, who asked to remain anonymous for security reasons, said: “It’s alarming if the threat of terrorism is touching the lives of teenagers in this way. It is a sad indictment of the times we live in.

“The cadet organisation is not a recruiting ground for the military.

“Some do choose to join up later, but cadets are not members of the armed forces.”

An Army spokesman said the safety of young people is paramount and added: “There remains no ban on wearing uniforms in public, for example, when travelling to and from cadet activities, but nobody should feel forced to do so.

“We are aware of an incident allegedly involving members of the ACF – this is a matter for the police and we cannot comment further. Any witnesses are urged to contact the police.”

Gateshead Territorial Army Centre in Alexandra Road
Northumbria Police said the men were in a silver Vauxhall Zafira when the incident happened at 9.15pm on Wednesday, January 21.

The threats are understood to have been “graphic and nasty” and included a comment about beheading, although the teenagers were unharmed.

Gateshead Supt Richie Jackson said it is believed to have been an isolated incident and added: “The men made no attempt to make any physical contact with the girls or get out of the car, and shouted the comments while driving away from the scene.

“Inquiries are ongoing to establish the exact nature of what was said and we have spoken to the two teenage girls, viewed CCTV footage from the area and have identified the vehicle and inquiries are ongoing to trace the driver.”

The driver was described as black or Asian, in his 40s, of plump or muscular build, with a black bushy beard and dark clothes. His passenger was described as black or Asian, in his 30s, with short black hair and stubble.