Muslims and extremists clash as soldiers march through Barking

Muslim extremists and far-Right groups fought in Barking today, just before soldiers returning from Afghanistan were to parade through the town.

About 40 members of a group called Muslims Against the Crusades emerged out of the Tube station carrying placards reading: "British soldiers are cowards", "What are you dying for? £18K" and "Return of the Bastards".

Then about 100 men — wearing English Defence League T-shirts and shouting "scum", "Muslim bombers off our streets" and "Allah, Allah, who the f***k is Allah" — surged out of the nearby Barking Dog pub and surrounded the Muslims.

The protesters, who carried black flags bearing Arabic legends and shouting "Hands off Muslims", were showered with beer before police led them to safety behind metal barricades. Businesses shuttered their doors and windows.

An elderly man who watched the clash said: "Our young men are out there fighting for us and they are in our country doing this. If that was a miners' strike the police would be in there with their batons."

More than 200 members of 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment were due on a "freedom parade", with thousands welcoming them back from their third tour in Afghanistan. Barking and Dagenham council leader Liam Smith has written to Home Secretary Theresa May asking her to ban Muslims Against Crusades, fearing the "inflammatory leaflets" could cause violence.

Muslim councillor Manzour Hussain said: "Muslims Against Crusades do not represent the vast majority of law abiding, peaceful Muslim members of our society who respect Britain's armed forces. They certainly do not represent the views of the Muslim community of Barking and Dagenham."