THE far-right English Defence League (EDL) and counter protesters say they will still demonstrate in Walthamstow this weekend despite police attempts to ban all marches.

The Met Police announced yesterday (Tuesday October 23) it had applied to the Home Secretary to prohibit marches and processions in east London after receiving intelligence that there could be "serious public disorder, violence and damage".

The government is yet to make a decision but it is expected they will agree.

However the EDL said on its website it will hold a static protest instead to get around a ban and has urged supporters to descend on Walthamstow this Saturday (October 27).

Counter protest groups Unite Against Fascism (UAF) and We Are Waltham Forest have both said they will also hold a static protest in Walthamstow town centre.

A council-organised community funday celebrating the borough's diversity is still scheduled to go ahead on Saturday in Walthamstow town centre.

The EDL claims to be a "movement" opposed to Islamic extremism but critics say it is racist.

Borough commander Chief Superintendent Mark Collins urged the public to stay away from counter demonstrations and said they could make the situation worse.

Chief Supt. Collins said it was unnecessary for counter-protesters to demonstrate because police would "deal swiftly" with any EDL supporters who arrived in Walthamstow.

He said: "If any [EDL supporters] come we will contain them very quickly, allow them to have a static protest and then remove them. The timeframe will depend but it certainly won't be for a prolonged period.

"My message to residents is to go about your business normally and do not attend any counter-protests and please respect the family event.

"We will not facilitate any free-roaming of protesters in the borough."

He added that a decision to apply for a ban was based on the latest intelligence and that the force had never ruled out such an option.

But Jo Cardwell, of the ‘We are Waltham Forest’ campaign, said: "We are about unity and we are peacefully and rightly protesting.

"It's a disgrace that as local people we are being told that we can't walk through our own streets to defend our community."

Fellow campaigner Sophie Bolt added: "whatever happens we are still mobilising flat out.

"We hope that everyone joins us in peaceful protest to send a strong signal that the EDL cannot denigrate and intimidate our community."

Yesterday a petition signed by more than 4,000 people was delivered to the government urging it to approve a ban on the EDL's march as part of a joint campaign by Waltham Forest Council and the Guardian.

The EDL has described Saturday as a "rematch" after its last march through Walthamstow last month ended in chaos when around 3,000 counter-protesters blocked it.

Police previously tried to stop an EDL march in Tower Hamlets last September. The government approved a ban but protesters turned up anyway at Aldgate and scuffles broke out with 16 arrests.