UK riots live: Far right violence erupts in Liverpool and Manchester

Far-right protesters gathering to protest in Bristol this evening have been met with huge amounts of counter-demonstrators in the city centre.

Police were seen forming a line between the two groups in Castle Park.

The Home Secretary has warned that the country will not stand for ‘thuggery’ and that courts will ’stand ready’ to make sure people ‘pay the price’ after protests unsettled cities across the country.

‘Criminal violence and disorder have no place on Britain’s streets,’ Yvette Cooper said on 3 August, amid weekend demonstrations in Liverpool, Sunderland, Hull and others.

Tensions are thought to have been partly triggered by misinformation about the alleged knife attacker in Southport, Merseyside, which resulted in the deaths of three children.

Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has given police his ‘full support’ to take action against ‘extremists’ as he held emergency talks with ministers.

Violence flared in Belfast and businesses were attacked after an anti-immigration protest moved through the city.

Police mounted a significant security operation during a lengthy confrontation between the protesters and those taking part in an anti-racist rally at the City Hall during which fireworks and other missiles were thrown.

Social media posts during the week had suggested the anti-immigration protest would then move towards the city’s Islamic Centre.

However, police had blocked a number of roads in the city and the protesters ended up in a stand-off with police in the university area of the city.

A cafe on Botanic Avenue was attacked by the crowd as they made their way through south Belfast and windows in a hotel on University Road were smashed.

Police said they are treating reports of criminal damage as hate crimes and said two arrests had been made.

Communities have a “right to feel safe,” Yvette Cooper said as she insisted the police have the Government’s full support to take the “strongest possible action”.

People have already been charged over some of the unrest, she said.

Asked what ministers could do to help counter the violence, the Home Secretary said: “The police need to lead operations in communities across the country where there has been both violent disorder and thuggery on the streets, which is completely unacceptable, completely damaging and where the police need to, they have our full support, taking the strongest possible action, making sure that these criminals face the full force of the law.

“And also already there are some of the suspects and perpetrators have already been arrested, already facing charges and are in custody, but we expect more of that to continue and we will support the police every step of the way. Communities have a right to be able to feel safe.”

Asked whether there had already been charges, she said: “There have already been arrests and charges but we know that that will continue and the police have our full backing, and I want everyone to be clear – anyone who gets involved in criminal disorder and violent thuggery on our streets will have to pay the price and they should expect there to be arrests, prosecutions penalties, and the full force of the law including imprisonment, travel bans, and more because it’s really important that communities can feel safe on the streets, and there are consequences for breaking the law.”

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said 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.”

Police with riot shields and mounted officers remained in Liverpool city centre, and the force helicopter circled overhead, but the large group of demonstrators had dispersed.

A spokesman for Merseyside Police said: “We can confirm that roads in the city have now reopened following serious disorder in the city centre this afternoon.

“We would like to thank local residents, motorists, visitors and businesses in the city centre for their patience and understanding.”

The UK’s justice system is ready to deliver convictions for protesters engaging in violent disorder “as quickly as possible”, Downing Street said.

In emergency talks held by the prime minister today, Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood said that those who have committed violence over the last few days have been remanded in custody.

A Downing Street spokesperson said: “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.”

Four men have been arrested in connection with the disorder in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire police have said.

A number of protesters have dispersed from the location while a large-scale policing presence with specialist public order resources remain in the area, the forced added in a statement.

A section 34 dispersal notice has also been authorised, allowing police to disperse people who may return to the area.

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.  

There was speculation that a stabbing has taken place as a result of the disorder today.

The police force confirmed this information is false and no stabbings have been reported, despite videos fuelling speculation on social media.