ABSTRACT

Demonstrations by far-right groups, such as the English Defence League, Britain First and PEGIDA, have caused considerable social and civic unrest in UK cities for nearly a decade. But how should policymakers respond to far-right and anti-Muslim activism? Drawing on extensive primary research with stakeholders, local authorities and policymakers, this book investigates the political, socio-economic and historic trends that fuel this form of political extremism across the UK. It also maps the different types of policy responses available to local politicians, police forces and behind-the-scenes policy officials involved in the day-to-day management of anti-Islamic street protest. The author demonstrates that it is only through developing successful countermeasures in the realm of politics, security and community-based politics that politicians, police and state actors will truly get to grips with this new far-right activism.

chapter |9 pages

Introduction

Why policy responses to the EDL and Britain First?

chapter 1|12 pages

Context

The rise of anti-Islamic protest and the evolution of the UK Far Right

chapter 2|18 pages

What policy responses?

UK national policy responses and localised countermeasures to Anti-Islamic protest

chapter 3|28 pages

‘Where it all began’

Policy responses to the EDL and Britain First in Luton

chapter 4|29 pages

Early responses to anti-Islamic protest

Policy responses to the EDL and Britain First in Birmingham

chapter 5|25 pages

West Yorkshire’s response to anti-Islamic protest

Policy responses to the EDL and Britain First in Bradford

chapter 6|23 pages

‘Somewhere near the clock tower’

Policy responses to the EDL and Britain First in Leicester

chapter 7|30 pages

Anti-Islamic protest in London’s East End

Policy responses to the EDL and Britain First in Tower Hamlets

chapter |9 pages

Conclusion

Key findings, recommendations and future responses