Huge counter-protests quell riots after leaving far-Right outnumbered

The Telegraph:  Far-Right demonstrators were left outnumbered on Wednesday night as thousands of counter-protesters crowded them out in towns and cities across England.

Police forces across the country braced for more than 100 far-Right demonstrations, with almost 4,000 specially-trained public order officers taking to the streets in anticipation of unrest.

Another 2,000 officers were placed on standby, meanwhile GP surgeries closed early and City workers were told to leave the office. In many towns and cities shops were also boarded up over fears of further rioting.

But it was the counter-protesters who turned out in far greater numbers.

In London, more than 5,000 people amassed in Walthamstow carrying banners of ‘Oppose Tommy Robinson’ and ‘Refugees Welcome’.

Hundreds of counter-protesters also gathered outside an immigration advice centre in Brentford and the Old Fire Station in Hackney.

There were also large counter-demonstrations in Birmingham, Sheffield, Liverpool, Newcastle, Bristol, and Brighton.

Stand Up to Racism said an estimated 25,000 people took to the streets to take a stand against racism and violence on Wednesday.

This included around 8,000 in Walthamstow, 7,000 in Bristol and 2,000 in Liverpool. Similar numbers were seen in Brighton and Newcastle, the group said.

In Walthamstow, the crowd were chanting “Whose streets? Our streets” and “Say it loud, say it clear, refugees are welcome here”.

Counter-protesters rally in Walthamstow, east London - Getty Images

An aerial view shot of protesters in Walthamstow - AP

Mahmood Faez told PA: “It fills our hearts. Regardless of race, religion, sexuality, this sends a strong message to racists that they are not wanted and they are not needed here.”

Around 50 far-Right demonstrators turned up in Southampton, but their chants were drowned out by around 400 counter-protesters who sang “there are many, many, many more of us than you”.

The largest far-Right demonstration was in Portsmouth, where men draped in Saint George’s Cross flags blocked roads and clashed with police officers.

Police move on protesters outside the Border Force Headquarters in Portsmouth

Meanwhile, Metropolitan Police said about 50 people gathered in North End Road, Croydon, south London, and had “made clear their intention is to cause disruption and fuel disorder”.

The force said those in Croydon dragged and threw objects down the road, and hurled bottles at officers, with 10 people arrested, including four for violent disorder and one for assaulting an emergency workers.

The Met said: “This is not linked to protest, this appears to be pure antisocial behaviour.”

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Andy Valentine said more than 1,000 officers were deployed in London, and the anti-racism protests in Walthamstow and Finchley passed “without major incident or disruption”.

He added: “I want to thank our communities for coming together across the capital and for showing community spirit this evening.”

Three men were jailed on Wednesday for up to three years after admitting violent disorder following riots in Liverpool city centre.

More of those arrested in the unrest over the past week will appear in court on Thursday, including some likely to be jailed on live television.

NI Assembly recalled amid Belfast violence

Stormont MLAs are set to return from summer recess for an Assembly sitting to discuss violence, as rioters descended on Belfast streets on Wednesday night.

Riot police swooped on protesters after disorder broke out on Newtownards Road. Rioters reportedly threw missiles towards police.

On Wednesday, Secretary of State Hilary Benn condemned “racist violence” in Belfast in recent days and stressed that it “does not represent Northern Ireland”.

Executive ministers will gather on Thursday morning at Stormont Castle before the Northern Ireland Assembly sitting at noon.