A resident living near the route of yesterday's procession between two Watford mosques has complained there was no warning it was going to take place.

The procession was held to celebrate the birthday of the Prophet Muhammed and involved 400 people walking between the Cambridge Road and North Watford mosques.

Road closures took place along Clarendon Road, St Albans Road, and the A41.

A PA system was used to broadcast readings from the Koran duuring the procession.

Jeffrey Peach, from North Watford, said he had no objection to the march but added: “The first I learnt of the march was when I saw a plethora of police cars and riot squad vans parked in my road.

The procession set off at 10.30am from the Cambridge Road Mosque, with the participants convening for prayers at the North Watford Mosque at midday.

Mr Peach added: “Quite frankly I am appalled at the lack of concern shown to residents. Wouldn't it have been nice and reassuring for residents to have been warned by the police?

“How would you feel to look out your window and see riot squad police parked up and not know why, particularly in the present climate of unrest?”

One resident from Berry Avenue, who asked to not be named, said: “I saw the road closure notices on Saturday and rang up to find out what was going on.

“There was nothing which came round to say what was going on. I thought it would have caused trouble but it didn't, but there was a heavy police presence, at least ten to eleven officers.

“Two low-loader lorries with chaps waving flags and shouting through loud hailers congregated at the top of the avenue, it was quite intimidating and not very nice on a Sunday afternoon.”

Muhammed Muniz, who helped organise the procession, said that the event was not deliberately covered up, and the organisers were not concerned about groups attempting to disrupt the procession.

He added: “We had a speaker reading from the Koran at front of the procession, it was very peaceful and successful.

“This was for the birthday of the Holy Prophet, and we put out signs a few days before to say there was a procession on Sunday.

“We are peaceful Muslims and we were taking part in a religious procession in good faith, it wasn't a political march and it was nothing to do with extremism.”

Both Hertfordshire Constabulary and Watford Borough Council said it was not its place to advertise a religious procession.

Angela Farrance, from Watford Borough Council, said: “As with all events that take place in the town that require temporary road closures, public notices were displayed on all the affected roads.

“The police monitored the road closures for the duration of the celebratory parade.

Did you see or take part in the procession? Email the newsdesk at abinnie@london.newsquest.co.uk, or telephone 01923 216295.