The Sunderland protest on Friday evening was among several planned across the UK this weekend after the knife attack in Southport on Monday, fuelled by misinformation on social media about the background and religion of the 17-year-old suspect.
Anti-racism group Hope Not Hate said up to 35 protests were due to take place across the UK this weekend “under a broad anti-multiculturalism, anti-Muslim and anti-government agenda”.
Here is a list of the far right rallies and counter-protests reported so far today:
Belfast
Hundreds of people gathered at the front of Belfast city hall for an anti-racism rally on Saturday shortly before noon. The event was organised in response to social media calls for anti-Islamic protests to be staged in Northern Ireland.
Police vehicles formed a barrier between the anti-racism protest and a small anti-Islamic group who had gathered on the other side of the road. The two groups were exchanging insults and a small number of fireworks and other missiles were thrown.
Police Land Rovers and officers in riot gear were reported to be separating the two groups. Officers were also seen arresting one man, who was taken away in a Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) car. A number of roads into Belfast have been closed “due to ongoing protest activity”, police said.
Leeds
Two groups began hurling insults at each in the centre of Leeds just before 1pm and were being kept about 20 metres apart by barriers, with about 20 police officers between.
About 150 people carrying St George’s flags shouted “you’re not English any more” and “paedo Muslims off our street” outside the city’s central library and art gallery. But, they were greatly outnumbered by hundreds of counter-protesters shouting “Nazi scum off our streets”. Many of this group were waving Palestinian flags in the sunshine and chanting “there are many, many more of us than you”.
Just before 1.30pm, one of the groups left their pen en masse and about 200 people walked past Saturday shoppers chanting “stop the boats” and other slogans. A line of police officers eventually arrived in vans near the Corn Exchange and walked in front of the group, some of whom were wearing masks.
When the march arrived back at the much larger counter-demonstration, large numbers of police placed themselves in front of the marchers, prompting some minor pushing, shoving and screaming at the officers from the marchers.
The noisy standoff then continued outside the central library and art gallery, with about 50 police between the two groups.
Manchester
A dispersal notice was authorised across Manchester city centre in order to assist police in dealing with protests, Greater Manchester police said.
At about 11am, anti-racism protesters were reported to be outnumbering those who had turned up for an “Enough is Enough” demonstration. Chris Slater, a reporter from the Manchester Evening News, said an estimated 150 people were taking part in the latter event, while about 350 people had turned out for a “Stop the Far Right” counter-protest.
Nottingham
A group holding St George’s and union flags in Nottingham’s Market Square were met with counter-protesters chanting “racist scum off our streets” and “Nazis not welcome”.
Scuffles broke out as opposing groups faced each other on King Street at about 3pm, with bottles and other items thrown from both sides. Chants of “England until I die” and “Tommy Robinson” were drowned out by boos from the counter-protesters.
Stoke-on-Trent
Police in Stoke-on-Trent said they were aware of “pockets of disorder” and bricks were reportedly thrown at officers in the city.
The Telegraph reported on Saturday afternoon:
Footage appeared to show far-right agitators pelting stones and fireworks in the direction of police and counter-protesters in Stoke.
A crowd of around 30 people, mostly men, were seen in a standoff with what appeared to be counter-protesters. The two groups were separated by around 20 yards, with a police van in between.
Hull
Windows were smashed at a hotel in Hull that was used to house asylum seekers, reports the BBC.
Leanne Brown, reporting from Hull for the broadcaster, said:
In Hull, protesters gathered outside a hotel which has been used to house asylum seekers. We’ve seen the crowd throwing concrete bricks and smashing windows with glass bottles, shouting ‘get them out’.”
Liverpool
Police separated groups of demonstrators outside the Cunard building on The Strand in Liverpool.
Anti-fascist protesters sang: “Where’s your Tommy gone?” At one point a group of men with masks and hoods up appeared to try to charge police officers who stood with batons. Officers with riot shields and helmets moved the crowd back and cans, bottles and coins were thrown. Police with dogs also moved in to separate the groups.
The windscreen of a police van was smashed as bricks and plastic barriers were thrown in Liverpool. Bricks were pelted at the vans and officers by youths with their faces covered. A chair thrown by demonstrators hit an officer on the head.
The home secretary added those engaging in violent disorder “will pay the price”.
“Criminal violence and disorder has no place on Britain’s streets,” she told broadcasters.
“We’ve been clear to the police that they have our full backing in taking the strongest possible action against perpetrators, including making sure that there are more prosecutors, there are sufficient prison places and also that the courts stand ready because anyone who engages in this kind of disorder needs to be clear that they will pay the price.”
Keir Starmer said police have the government’s “full support” to take action against “extremists” attacking officers and attempting to “sow hate” as he held talks with ministers over the violence across parts of England.
Home secretary Yvette Cooper said she would work with forces to help ensure “consequences, arrests and prosecutions” for those responsible.
A Downing Street spokesperson said: “This afternoon the prime minister convened senior ministers including the deputy prime minister, home secretary, justice secretary and the policing minister to discuss the incidents of public disorder and unrest we have seen in towns and cities in recent days.
“The prime minister began by thanking the police who responded to the violence committed by a small minority of thugs in Sunderland last night which injured four officers. Addressing the scenes of disorder we have seen today, the prime minister set out that the police have our full support to take action against extremists on our streets who are attacking police officers, disrupting local businesses and attempting to sow hate by intimidating communities.
“The home secretary updated on the ongoing police response to outbreaks of disorder. She said we will work with them to ensure there are consequences, arrests and prosecutions for those responsible. The justice secretary added that already offenders who have committed violence over the last few days have been remanded in custody and the whole justice system is ready to deliver convictions as quickly as possible.
“The deputy prime minister said we are working with local authorities to ensure members of the community who have been targeted by thuggish extremists have the support they need.
“The prime minister ended by saying the right to freedom of expression and the violent disorder we have seen are two very different things. He said there is no excuse for violence of any kind and reiterated that the government backs the police to take all necessary action to keep our streets safe.”
At least three people were led away in handcuffs as demonstrators faced counter-protesters in Nottingham.
Counter-protesters holding placards saying “violence not welcome” and “Nottingham against hate” chanted “free Palestine” and “Nazi scum off our streets” as protesters with flags played the national anthem on a loudspeaker.
Police separated the two groups in King Street as projectiles including cans, bottles, eggs and fruit were thrown, with some hitting officers.
In the midst of dealing with disorder in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire police issued a statement debunking claims that a stabbing had taken place.
“We can confirm this information is false and no stabbings have been reported to police or emergency responders, despite videos fuelling speculation on social media.
“We can confirm a man was injured after being hit by a blunt object that was thrown. His injuries are not thought to be serious and he has been taken to hospital for treatment,” the force said.
Four men were arrested over the incident.
The protest in Blackpool moved towards St John’s Square where people attending the Rebellion festival were gathered.
Skirmishes broke out between demonstrators and festivalgoers, with bottles and chairs being thrown and wood wielded.
In one clash, a man was knocked unconscious when he fell backwards and hit his head on the ground.
Another man drove his motorbike at the crowd before officers arrived.
Tracey Pook, community engagement officer at Didsbury mosque, said it has closed its doors on Saturday, cancelled classes and told women and children not to attend due to the threat of far-right protests in Manchester.
Pook, 52, said the mosque would only open for worshippers at the time of the five daily prayers.
Pook, who wears a headscarf, added: “I’m having to be a bit more vigilant. I’m still going about my daily life.”
The community engagement officer praised Greater Manchester police for the support officers have provided to the mosque but described tensions as high in the area.
“I’ve just never seen anything like this. It’s really saddened me. How is this honouring the death of those young girls? It isn’t. And those families are going through so much grief,” she added.
Far-right marches and anti-racist counter-demonstrations took place in several cities across the UK on Saturday, days after a knife attack in Southport led to further incidents in the town.
Mike Ainscough woke up on Tuesday morning to find a bunch of flowers leaning against the garden gate of his home in Southport.
“I saw it and I thought ‘It should be in water’, so I went to get a bucket,” the 82-year-old said. Soon there would be hundreds of bunches arrayed alongside his garden wall, with cuddly toys, sparkly balloons and handwritten messages to the children killed and injured at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class.
Ainscough’s home sits on the edge of a police cordon closing off the street where the knife attack took place on Monday, and has become the site of an ever-growing impromptu memorial.
He is now its unofficial caretaker. As more flowers were brought by a steady stream of people on Thursday evening, Ainscough trimmed the stems, mixed water and packets of flower food in buckets donated by a local Sainsbury’s, and gently arranged the bouquets.
Every night, he takes the dozens of cuddly toys left by children into his home so they don’t get damp, and then sits them on a sun lounger and bench the following morning.
“I felt it was something I could do,” Ainscough said, as he worked through the new donations. “Hundreds of people have been coming here, and a lot of them are grieving. I’m standing in the house and seeing grown adults weeping. I had one man who said to me: ‘I’ve got grandchildren, how am I going to explain this to them?’”
Three police officers have been injured and four people arrested amid disorder in Hull city centre.
Humberside police said that “at this stage, three officers are believed to have suffered injuries” after a group of people targeted a hotel which houses asylum seekers.
Ch supt Darren Wildbore said: “We currently have a high policing presence whilst officers respond to disorder that is taking place in the area of Ferensway following a protest that began this afternoon.
“Our officers have faced eggs and bottles being thrown and have made four arrests relating to public order offences. We have also issued a dispersal order for the area and there will remain a visible police presence as they remain in the area to protect the safety of those in the community.
“I can confirm that we have not deployed teargas contrary to speculation in the media.
“I continue to advise members of the public to avoid the area at this time.”
Merseyside police said it is dealing with a number of people engaged in serious disorder in Liverpool city centre and a number of officers have been injured.
Section 34 and Section 60 orders are both in place in Liverpool.
Section 60 gives police “enhanced powers to stop and search individuals and is designed to prevent serious violence”.
Section 34 gives officers the power to “seize any item used in the commission of anti-social behaviour”.
Police have denied claims that the organiser of a march in Middlesborough on Sunday had been arrested on terrorism charges.
They said a 29-year-old man was arrested on Friday over firearms offences.
English Defence League founder Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, better known as Tommy Robinson, had posted on Friday: “Lad who organised Middlesbrough march been locked up on terroism charges.”
Cleveland police said in a statement: “We are aware of misinformation being shared on social media relating to a planned event in Middlesbrough tomorrow.
“Cleveland police has not arrested anyone in connection with terrorism offences.
“A 29-year-old Middlesbrough man was arrested yesterday on suspicion of possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.
“He remains in police custody being questioned and inquiries continue.”