POLICE spent the night patrolling a Hampshire community after a protest was held against several Muslim groups uniting to discuss a planned community centre.
An English Defence League (EDL) protest was held outside the Methodist Church in Winchester Road, Chandler’s Ford, where a meeting was held to discuss a Muslim community centre in the area.
People took to social media to arrange a the counter protest.
Police were informed of the demonstration, which saw up to 40 people take to the streets between 6.30pm and 10pm.
There was a large police presence in the area throughout the evening as officers attempted to keep the situation under control.
A 24-year-old man, from Farnborough, was arrested and charged with a public order offence of using threatening or abusive words or behaviour or disorderly behaviour likely to cause alarm, harassment or distress.
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