Four people have been charged after violence broke out between English Defence League supporters and opponents in Walthamstow.

A total of 20 suspects were arrested when scuffles broke out and missiles thrown between the two sides at the junction of Bromley Road and Forest Road on Saturday afternoon (September 1).

The EDL, which describes itself as a movement against Islamic extremism but which critics say is racist, had planned to march along Forest Road from Blackhorse Road Tube station to Waltham Forest Magistrates Court and back, but were diverted when opponents blocked their path at the Bell Corner.

The EDL leadership and counter-protesters from the We Are Waltham Forest campaign both hailed the day a success.

Organisers estimate around 200 to 300 people attended the EDL march, with around 3,000 protesting against them.

In a statement today, police said three people at the anti-EDL march had been charged.

They include salesman Royal Barnes, 22, of Well Street in Hackney, who is to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court today accused of fear or provocation of violence under the public order act.

Machinist Ahsam Nawaz, 28, of Billet Road in Walthamstow, will appear at the same court on September 13, charged with possession of an offensive weapon.

A 16-year-old boy from Walthamstow, who cannot be named, will appear at Hammersmith Youth Court on September 11 charged with possessing a knife/pointed weapon in a public place.

Unemployed John Mooney, 48, of Duchy Street in Lambeth, was arrested at the EDL march and is charged with causing harassment, alarm or distress under the Public Order Act.

We Are Waltham Forest spokeswoman Sophie Bolt said the march to the site of the planned EDL rally by the town hall had been planned in advance and police were aware it was a possibility.

She said: “Our community came together in huge numbers to show the EDL they were not welcome.

“We feel it was very successful and an incredible day.

“It was a complete humiliation for the EDL and I think it will have repercussions across the whole country. The EDL supporters are very demoralised”.

When asked if she was disappointed by the violence, Ms Bolt said: “The EDL were screaming and hurling abuse at our community and they wanted to cause violence.

"If people got angry I think it's completely understandable.

“I did not see any violence and the experience of the vast majority of people was that it was a peaceful event.”

A statement on the EDL's Facebook website said: “had a fantastic day yesterday with the lads/lasses of the EDL.

“Yes we was stitched up by the Met once again but it was sweet success they told us we wouldn't dare go to the Sharia-controlled streets of Walthamstow.

“Well yesterday them streets for a few hours where [sic] the streets of the EDL the longest march we have ever done”.

Waltham Forest Police told the Guardian last week it had no intelligence to suggest the march would be violent or disrupt the community, but the council advised residents to stay away from counter-marches amid fears over the “potential” for violence.

In addition to the above charges, two EDL supporters were cautioned for possessing Class A drugs, one for Class B drugs, while a 30-year-old man was fined for setting off a firework.

Three arrested men were released without charge and a 44-year-old was cautioned for affray.

At the counter-demo, four arrested men were released without charge, three were cautioned for affray and one 23-year-old man was bailed.

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