Up to 35 far-right protests have been advertised online for the rest of the weekend amid fears of more violence
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Far-right protestors have clashed with counter-protestors in Manchester today as the UK braces for more violent scenes across major cities.
Dozens of far-right protestors descended on the northern city earlier with chants of “Tommy Robinson” and reported Nazi salutes. Eyewitnesses report they are vastly outnumbered by anti-racism protestors, who have turned out in their hundreds.
It comes as several counter-protests have been planned across the country in response to the far-right demonstrations which are set to take place across 35 towns and cities this weekend.
On Friday, a far-right mob torched a Sunderland police station as eight people were arrested amid violent disorder that saw a mosque surrounded by rioters.
Ten people have now been arrested following Sunderland’s riot for offences like violent disorder and burglary, with three police officers rushed to hospital.
The protests follow misinformation on social media about a stabbing attack on Monday in Southport, Merseyside, in which three children were killed.
Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer has put police forces on an emergency footing and home secretary Yvette Cooper warned “criminals attacking the police” would “pay the price for violence and thuggery”.
Stoke-on-Trent MPs: “Violence solves nothing”
Stoke-on-Trent’s three MPs have released a statement condemning the organised far-right march in the city. The three new Labour members say: “Our message to extremists is simple. You are not welcome in Stoke-on-Trent.”
Albert Toth3 August 2024 14:21
In pictures: Police work to contain far-right in Leeds
Pictures show police officers in Leeds working to keep the peace as far-right protestors confront them. Many are wearing balaclavas or costumes to protect their identities.
Clashes in recent days have seen dozens of police injured as protestors target officers. 53 police officers were injured in Southport earlier this week.
Albert Toth3 August 2024 14:14
Watch: Leeds counter-protestors stand off against far-right
Videos from social media show conflicting protestors in Leeds remaining separated and behind barriers outside the Leeds Art Gallery.
Police are present in the wide walkway, alongside journalists and onlookers. Eyewitnesses say the anti-racism protestors far outnumber the far-right.
Albert Toth3 August 2024 14:03
Pictures emerge of damage done in Sunderland
New photos have emerged of the damage done to buildings in Sunderland last night as far-right rioters clashed with police in the northern city.
Rioters targeting the Sunderland central police office instead destroyed a neighbouring Citizen’s Advice Bureau. Meanwhile, a local vape shop has been boarded up after being looted amid the violence.
Four police officers were injured and ten arrested, as Sunderland Central MP Lewis Atkinson slammed the “criminal thuggery” that took place.
Albert Toth3 August 2024 13:51
Gravestones targeted to make weapons in Sunderland, says Reverend
A priest at Sunderland Minster said yobs who tried to smash a gravestone to use as missiles during widespread disorder in the city were guilty of “an act of sacrilege”.
The Reverend Jacqui Tyson said a colleague reported seeing youths were in the graveyard of the minster, which was close to where a car was overturned and set on fire, and where police were attacked with fire extinguishers.
She said: “They were trying to break up one of the graves in the minster.
“My colleague and his friend saw them and chased them off. They then locked the gates so no-one else could access the graveyard.
“It’s an act of sacrilege to disturb someone’s gravestone. It’s also remarkably lacking in common sense – have you tried to pick up a gravestone?”
Albert Toth3 August 2024 13:39
South Yorkshire mayor: ‘Violence is not protest’
South Yorkshire mayor Oliver Coppard has condemned the violent demonstrations in the wake of the Southport stabbings.
“Violence is not protest. Hatred has no place in South Yorkshire,” he said in a post on X.
Mr Coppard added: “This week we’ve seen the tragic consequences of the attack in Southport spark isolated outbreaks of violence and hatred across the country.
“I know that violence is both frightening and shocking for the vast majority of people across South Yorkshire who simply want to live side by side with their neighbours and friends, whatever their faith, race or background.
“Over the coming days please do reach out and make sure that those people who may be worried, know that in South Yorkshire we look after each other.
“Thats what we’ve always done, and what we will continue to do in the face of those who desperately want to divide our communities.”
Jabed Ahmed3 August 2024 13:34
Arrest made in Belfast as clashes continue
A confrontation between anti-immigration and anti-racism protesters is continuing in Belfast city centre.
The two groups were exchanging insults and a small number of fireworks and other missiles have been thrown.
Police Land Rovers and officers in riot gear were separating the two groups.
Officers were seen arresting one man, who was taken away in a PSNI car.
Albert Toth3 August 2024 13:30
‘Many, many more of us’: Counter-protestors outnumber the far-right in Leeds
Two group of protesters began hurling insults at each in the centre of Leeds just before 1pm.
Around 150 people carrying St George’s flags shouted “you’re not English any more” and “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”.
The two groups were kept about 20 metres apart by barriers with around 20 police officers between.
It comes as similar scenes unfold in Manchester and Belfast, both with counter-protestors reportedly outnumbering the far-right mobilisations.
Jabed Ahmed3 August 2024 13:19
Arrests made after violence outside of hotel housing migrants
Two men have been arrested after protesters threw objects and shouted racist abuse at a demonstration outside a hotel housing migrants in Aldershot.
Hampshire Police said a minority of about 200 people who gathered outside the Potters International Hotel became involved in the disruption on Wednesday evening.
On Saturday, it said a 32-year-old man from Farnborough and a 60-year-old man from Farnham had both been arrested on suspicion of affray and using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour to stir up racial hatred.
Albert Toth3 August 2024 13:14
