POLICE are asking Unite Against Fascism (UAF) to move the site of their protest in Nottingham city centre this Saturday.

The UAF is advertising a protest from 10am in Old Market Square against the English Defence League (EDL).

The EDL, which describes itself as "peacefully protesting" against militant Islam, is staging its own rally near Nottingham Castle from mid-afternoon.

A third city centre rally is being staged by Nottinghamshire Stop The BNP, with a large crowd expected to line the streets to watch a march by around 450 members of the 2nd Battalion The Mercian Regiment to mark their return from the war in Afghanistan.

Notts Police say they now want the UAF to assemble in Maid Marian Way, on the paved area outside Gala Casino.

A police spokesman said: "We are working with demonstrators from both the EDL and UAF in order to facilitate peaceful protest and allow shoppers and visitors to go about their normal business.

"We have agreed with the EDL that they will assemble during mid-afternoon in the area of the castle.

"We would ask that members the UAF assemble at around 2pm along Maid Marian Way, on the paved area, outside Gala Casino.

"Officers will then lead them to the demonstration area so they can carry out their democratic right to protest."

Speaking at the Council House yesterday ahead of Saturday's major police operation, Chief Superintendent Shaun Beebe, head of policing in Nottingham, said: "We sincerely hope and expect people to behave responsibly and with respect for others.

"We have worked closely with colleagues from other forces, most notably Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire. It's appropriate for us to plan for a number of eventualities.

"There will be hundreds of police officers from the East Midlands region and other areas taking part in the operation."

A crowd in excess of 25,000 is also expected for Nottingham Forest's league clash with Leicester City at the City Ground at 1pm.

Chief Spt Beebe is keen to reassure city residents worried that Saturday's events in and around the city centre would have an impact on local policing.

"We will be having neighbourhood policing teams and other specialist teams working as normal across our communities," he said.

Nottingham City Council leader Jon Collins said yesterday that Notts Police had told him it would cost around £170,000 to police all of Saturday's events.

Chief Supt Beebe said that it was not his place to comment on whether the financial cost of policing Saturday's events would have any longer term impact on city policing resources.

Nottingham Castle and The Museum of Nottingham Life at Brewhouse Yard will be closed this Saturday to assist with the policing of the events.

Nottingham City Council leader Coun Jon Collins has urged people not to counter-demonstrate against the English Defence League this Saturday.

He said: "This is a small bunch of fascists who have been touring the country causing as much trouble as possible in different cities. I would understand why people would want to protest against these people, but the only reason they are coming to Nottingham is to cause trouble.

"It's very obvious because they were planning to come earlier this year, but changed the date to coincide it with the Mercians and the Forest and Leicester match.

"They want to cause the greatest trouble to local people.

"The kind of views they hold, most reasonable people in the country will find abhorrent."

Coun Collins added: "I urge people to be in town to support the Mercians march past."

guy.woodford@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk