Police have said they expect a demonstration by a group ‘fighting militant Islam’ on Saturday to be on a smaller scale than a similar protest last year.
The Berkshire Infidels will march through Slough town centre and are expected to be met by a counter demonstration by the Berkshire Antifascists.
Superintendent Simon Bowden, LPA commander for Slough, held an online question and answer session on Wednesday to field questions about how Thames Valley Police plans to manage the protests.
He assured people that ‘tried and tested public order tactics will be deployed’.
This year’s protests follow a similar demonstration by the EDL and counter protests by anti-fascist groups in the town last February.
Supt Bowden said this year between 50 and 100 Berkshire Infidels members are expected but they are not aware how many people Berkshire Antifascists will have in the town.
He was asked during the session how the ‘threat and operational difficulties’ compare to last year.
Supt Bowden said: “The EDL and the Berkshire Infidels, whilst connected, are different groups and have been considered separately.
“The organisers have made it clear that this demonstration will be peaceful.”
Police expect the protests to start at about 1pm and conclude around 3pm with demonstrators walking along the High Street and speeches taking place in Slough Town Square.
Supt Bowden said members of the public should still have access to the High Street and train station and will not be stopped from ‘going about their business unless it is for safety reasons’.
Slough Borough Council said: “We are working with the police to ensure the impact on local people and businesses is minimised and our advice is for people to go about their normal Saturday routines but if anyone is worried or concerned they should avoid the town centre at the time of the protest.”
The Mustaqbill (Future) Foundation, a community cohesion charity based in Slough, has advised avoiding the demonstrations to prevent ‘heightened tension between groups’.
Chairman Nazar Lodhi said: “Going along to any type of demonstration or counter demonstration can increase the potential for confrontation and could lead to individuals getting caught up unwittingly in some form of disorder, should it occur.”