Police call up ‘specials’ to help keep order at Wisbech anti-immigration rally

Wisbech Park tulips (Image: Archant)

Police have been given the names of likely speakers who include Alan Jesson, who won Spalding South in this month’s elections and Bob McAuley, UKIP winner in Boston West.

Chief Inspector Mike Winters. (Image: Archant)

Councillor Chris Pain, leader of the 12 strong UKIP contingent on Lincs County Council, is also down to speak.

Chief Inspector Mike Winters, Fenland area police commander, said with no threat of a counter demonstration “that is clearly good news for us”.

Up to 30 officers will be on duty both in the town and in a sectioned off area of Wisbech Park where the rally will take place.

But Chief Insp Winters said many of those officers would be special constables who had volunteered to work “so being unpaid that means there will be no great expense.”

An alternative event is taking place at the Rosmini Centre – part of an international style festival- but Chief Insp Winters said he had been assured organisers did not want a presence in the park.

“So far as the protest in the park is concerned we regard it as a low key public order event,” he said. “We do not anticipate any disorder.”

Chief Insp Winters has called in senior officers from within the force to help maintain order and ensure the day goes without a hitch.

He said he had met with those organising the Wisbech Park protest, had agreed they could use a public address system, and he had sent officers to Boston last month where they staged a similar rally.

“We went to look at what was happening and what we saw didn’t give us any great concerns,” he said. “After 40 minutes they seemed to run out of things to say and it sort of fizzled after that.”

He added: “I don’t have any fears around the organisers and UKIP.”