Police arrest three in Oldham

Riot police in Oldham arrested three men yesterday amid fears of clashes between far-right groups and anti-racists.

The National Front said it was considering legal action against police for preventing a demonstration, just days after the British National Party achieved its best general election result, polling more than 11,000 votes in Oldham's two constituencies.

Hundreds of riot police and an estimated 300 members of the Anti-Nazi League gathered in the town centre. Police arrested two white youths for possessing an offensive weapon ­ a roll of coins wrapped in white cloth bearing the name of Combat 18, a violently racist group. An Asian man was arrested for a public order offence after shouting at the protesters.

The National Front had earlier cancelled the protest, due to be held during the town's carnival, claiming police had threatened to arrest any demonstrators found in the area. Instead, about 20 of its members delivered leaflets to homes on estates with predominantly white residents. The group said it had rescheduled its protest for Saturday.

The national activities organiser, Terry Blackham, said the group would meet this week to discuss how to increase its campaign in Oldham, which it now regards as the most important area for its activities.Anti-racist groups had hoped for an improvement in race relations after the worst race riots in Britain for 15 years.