Thousands of anti-racism protesters take to streets after week of unrest
People gathered in parts of London, Liverpool, Birmingham and Bristol after days of rioting and violent disorder erupted
Thousands of anti-racism protesters took to the streets of the UK on Wednesday following riots at the weekend
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said there is "no excuse for thuggery" after attacks on officers in recent days
Three men were jailed on Wednesday for their involvement in violent disorder in Merseyside riots
Violent disorder erupted last week after the fatal stabbing of three young girls in Southport who were attending a Taylor Swift-themed dance party
Thousands of anti-racism protesters gathered at locations across the country on Wednesday where anti-immigration gatherings had been anticipated.
Counter demonstrators gathered in parts of London, Liverpool, Bristol and Brighton, after days of riots and violent disorder erupted following the killing of three young girls, Bebe King, Alice Dasilva Aguiar and Elise Dot Stancombe, in Southport last week.
In many towns and cities shops were boarded up over fears of further rioting, but in most places, planned anti-immigration protests failed to materialise.
In Walthamstow, around 8,000 counter-protesters took over the street outside the immigration centre, the area earmarked for protest, with placards reading “Stamp out Islamophobia", “No to Racism” and "Love not Hate".
In Bristol, where violence kicked off over the weekend, hundreds of demonstrators turned up to the city centre in response to planned anti-immigration protests.
Later in the evening, in Brighton, dozens of police had to force their way through counter-protesters to allow a few far-right demonstrators out of the crowd.
Officers had to make an arrest after a brick was thrown at a police van.
Aerial footage of thousands of anti-racist protesters gathered in Walthamstow, London
The Home Secretary Yvette Cooper thanked police for their response to planned protests, and for "protecting and supporting local communities".
One man was arrested near a planned protest site in Blackpool - a crowd of passers-by could be heard jeering as the man was pinned to the ground and placed in a police van.
Bottles were thrown at police and objects dragged down the road after around 50 people gathered in Croydon. Police have said the disruption was "not linked to protest" and that it appears to be "pure anti-social behaviour".
Some eight people have been arrested on suspicion of assaulting emergency workers, possession of offensive weapons and other offences.
Officers were understood to be preparing for more than 100 planned protests and potentially around 30 more counter-protests on Wednesday, but in most places, planned anti-immigration protests failed to materialise.
Despite some isolated incidents, police forces encountered very little trouble throughout the evening.
Middlesbrough town centre was the site of violent disorder as police clashed with rioters over the weekend, leaving residents 'scared' and calling for 'the police to do more.'
King Charles has asked to be briefed on a daily basis about the evolving national situation.
The violence was sparked by false claims about the identity of the teenager suspected of the knife attack in Southport.
Shops have been looted, hotels housing asylum seekers attacked and people from diverse backgrounds have been left feeling vulnerable and scared due to hate crimes.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley warned rioters earlier on Wednesday that "we will come after you", as three men were jailed at Liverpool Crown Court for their part in violent disorder.
Among those sentenced was 58-year-old Derek Drummond, who was handed three years in prison after admitting violent disorder and assaulting an emergency worker in Southport on July 30.
The first prison sentences for people involved in violent disorder have been handed out, as Stacey Foster reports.
Pictured below: Derek Drummond (left), Declan Geiran (middle) and Liam Riley (right)
Liam Riley, 40, was also sentenced to 20 months in prison for violent disorder and racially aggravated behaviour in Liverpool on August 3.
Declan Geiran, 29, was handed 30 months of jail time after pleading guilty to violent disorder on the same date.
All three men were due to appear at Liverpool Crown Court later this month but their cases were fast-tracked to today.
Subscribe free to our weekly newsletter for exclusive and original coverage from ITV News. Direct to your inbox every Friday morning.
Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know...