Police and Council thank community for peaceful protests in Rotherham Town Centre

Extra police officers were on duty in Rotherham town centre to minimise
disruption and protect people and property while ensuring that each group could exercise their right to peaceful protest.

Chief Superintendent Jason Harwin said: "South Yorkshire Police and
Rotherham Council's primary purpose was to protect the public today and we have done just that.

"This was an intelligence led operation; we responded to the information
coming into the organisation.

"Our policing response meant there was no damage in the town centre and we did protect our communities, this is evident with there being no arrests in relation to the demonstrations today.

"We would like to thank members of the public for their support of the policing carried out in the town centre today."

Karl Battersby, Rotherham Borough Council's Strategic Director of Environment and Development Services, said that the town had once again demonstrated that its "one town one community" foundations could remain firm in the face of the planned disruption.

"This has been an unwanted distraction for all those who have the best interests of local people and our town centre at heart. It was essential that both the police and the Council put the necessary measures in place to maintain public order and keep people safe, and I'm pleased to say that once more, disruption was kept to a minimum.

"The impact on our businesses, who have worked so hard to buck the national trend and to bring life back to our town centre, has been significant. It's critical that we return to "business as usual" and support our shops in the town centre, so that we don't lose the momentum that has been building over recent months."