DUDLEY is bracing itself for another anti-mosque protest on June 13 - the third in the space of four months.

A group called All Football Fans/Firms March Against Islamisation (AFFFMAI)  have said that they intend to march through the town centre to object to a replacement mosque being built on Hall Street.

The march is expected to take place between 12noon and 2pm and take the same route as February's EDL demonstration.

Chief Inspector Phil Dolby broke the news to concerned residents, religious leaders and traders who attended a public debrief at Dudley Council House on Tuesday evening, to provide feedback about policing of the Britain First march.

The group has yet to submit a written notice to hold a public procession, which is a legal requirement, but Chief Insp Dolby said if the march did go ahead, "it will probably be of a similar size to the EDL protest, if not slightly bigger".

He said legal teams from Dudley Council and West Midlands Police were looking at ways to potentially stop the march but assured the meeting that plans for policing the event were already under way.

Town traders said they felt persistent protesters were "giving Dudley a bad name" and remarks made during the Britain First protest on May 9, also weighed heavily on people's minds.

Members of the town's Muslim community believe that speeches made during the protest, including comments about the Prophet Muhammad, promoted racial and religious hatred.

Local businessman and former police officer Omar Ali said although the force did "an excellent job" policing the day, Britain First's agenda for the day was to "berate Muslims".

He continued: "People have the right to peacefully protest and they also have the right to a place of worship.

“Dudley has had a mosque for over 40 years and the vast majority of Dudley folk get on with each other regardless of their ethnic and religious background.

"The majority of local grocery and convenience stores are run by Muslims, as are the taxi companies. No one is complaining about this being 'Islamification'.

"And yet the idea of a mosque and its all 'Islamification' of Dudley?"

Chief Inspector Phil Dolby acknowledged that people were "upset" by what Britain First's comments, adding: "What they said was clearly shocking but we had to make a decision on the day to either wade in and start a disorder or capture evidence."

He said evidence had been gathered by police, which would be presented to the Crown Prosecution Service to decide if there is a case for prosecution.

Assurance has also been given that the words and actions of AFFFMAI protesters will also be closely monitored on the day.

Officers will facilitate people’s right of freedom of speech but will take action against those who overstep the mark and commit a criminal offence.

Kevin Smith, who has organised the AFFFMAI march, told the News that the group has been going for around six months ago and has had "massive support" since day one.

He said: "The idea of the march is to unite all football firms and fans for a day, to stand against a fast growing problem.

"We want to make a statement, grab people’s attention and have our say."

Mr Smith said this would be the group's first march but added: "Don't be fooled into thinking our numbers are small."

He also had a message for the town's traders: "I would strongly stress to the local traders that they need not close up while the march takes place.

"Remain open because we could even increase their custom for the day. It's not them we have a problem with so should not fear us.

"This march is intended to be peaceful although if we have to defend ourselves in any way from any unauthorised counter demonstration, we will."

West Midlands Police will hold a meeting at the Council House, Priory Road on June 3 at 6pm to update the community on any developments in the lead up to the protest.