The protesters, from a group calling themselves ‘Muslims Against Crusades’, had to be separated from crowds who gathered to welcome home Royal Anglian troops in Barking.

The troops were still able to exercise their right as Freeman of the Borough and marched through the streets of Barking as thousands of onlookers lined the streets to cheer the returning soldiers of 1st Battalion along the route.

Earlier protests stemmed from a YouTube video posted on 6 June in which spokesman for Muslims Against Crusades, Abu Amanah, said: “If you claim that you love the message of Allah, when are you going to come out and support?

“On the 15 June the British army will be coming back from Afghanistan they will be parading about the crimes they have committed.

“We will hold a static demonstration, therefore I urge all the muslim brothers and sisters to come out and forbid this evil.”

Council officials were quick to condemn the protest with Council Leader Liam Smith even writing to Home Secretary Theresa May calling on her to intervene and ban the specific protest.

Councillor Smith's views were echoed by Muslim councillor and chair of Barking and Dagenham Council Assembly, Councillor Manzour Hussain who said today:

"We do not believe that the people behind this protest have the best interests of the Muslim community in Barking and Dagenham and the rest of the country, at heart.

“'Muslims Against Crusades' do not represent the vast majority of law abiding, peaceful Muslim members of our society who respect Britain's armed forces and the work they do.

“They certainly do not represent the views of the Muslim community of Barking and Dagenham.

"Their protest is not welcome and we condemn it."