THE police often come in for criticism.

But today everybody should be praising officers who monitored the two protest marches through Bournemouth town centre at the Bank Holiday weekend.

There were around 200 people at the English Defence League march and there were a further 200 at the counter march for diversity. Both took place at the same time, but there were no reported incidents and just one arrest, which was not connected with the marches.

A calm and assured presence by the police made sure both sides could make their points.