Counter-protesters gather to oppose 'planned disorder' in Northampton, Southend and East of England

Anti-racism protesters outnumbered far-right groups at planned gatherings across the East of England, as police forces laid on extra officers to deal with any potential flashpoints.

A list of more than 30 locations for planned disorder had been circulated online in the lead-up to Wednesday evening, with forces in the region issuing warnings to those who intended to cause trouble.

Among the places earmarked for gatherings were Northampton, and Southend in Essex.

There were three arrests made in Northampton, where a crowd of around 350 people - mostly counter-protesters - had gathered along Kettering Road.

Despite brief moments of confrontation with police, the mood was largely peaceful.

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Amid counter-protesters' chants of "we are many more than you", some among the crowd danced while others cheered.

Police said three people had been arrested for public order offences, but no members of the public or police had been injured.

In Southend, where shops and businesses had boarded up their windows to protect against any violence, around 500 people had assembled by 8.30pm, with the gathering also largely peaceful.

Police formed a line between the two groups of protesters on Hamlet Court Road as numbers continued to grow through the evening.

Crowds began to disperse shortly after 9pm.

Police later said that a man had been arrested at 5.15pm on on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon after he was searched by officers. He was taken into custody.

Anti-racism groups standing behind a line of police chanted "This is what community looks like", while others held signs saying "Southend against racism" and "Choose peace, not hate".

Essex Police officers were also deployed in Chelmsford, another site of suspected protest activity, but none materialised.

Assistant chief constable Andy Mariner said: “We know there was information circulating which was naturally causing concerns among our communities. We were prepared and the upshot of that preparedness was that the situation was never at risk of escalating.

“Although a number of groups were present in Hamlet Court Road, officers continued to speak with them throughout the evening – and that meant all parties were aware of what would be acceptable to us – and what wouldn’t.

“I hope the reassurance we have provided – and delivered – for our communities shows our commitment to them.”

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