There are probably many people in Bradford today wondering what all the fuss was about with regards to the English Defence League’s demonstration in the city centre on Saturday.

The rally was ultimately something of a damp squib, with only relatively small numbers of EDL supporters showing up and the area where they were contained cleared of people and rubbish and back to normal by 4pm.

There was disruption, however, as roads were closed off and travel arrangements disrupted, as well as a huge police presence, with officers drafted in from many forces, in the city centre.

Because it can never really be anticipated how many people will turn up to these events, the large numbers of police were necessary, and the fact that the demonstration was so low-key and didn’t affect other than one corner of the city centre is testimony to the efficient and careful planning by the authorities.

The police operation to not only contain the EDL but keep them well apart from the counter-demonstration taking place on the Urban Garden must be termed a great success and all those officers involved richly deserve our thanks for keeping us safe.

While it is never welcome to have attention focused on Bradford because the city has to play unwilling host to those who would come here to spout hatred, the way that Bradford people responded to the event is also cause for congratulation.

The EDL exercised their right to protest, and Bradford to its credit turned its collective back and looked the other way. Whatever point these vile protesters believe they made will very soon be a distant memory.