Riots fizzle out: Fears of mass violent disorder fail to materialise as up to 25,000 counter-protesters take to streets

Fears of further mass violent disorder have failed to materialise after up to 25,000 counter-protesters took to the streets last night.

Counter-protesters assembled in their thousands after a list of anti-immigration demonstrations suggested wider riots yesterday.

Police were braced for violence as posts shared online suggested unrest would continue in 39 towns and cities.

However, footage from across the country showed counter-protesters chanting “hate not welcome” and “refugees welcome here”.

Largely peaceful crowds gathered in a number of locations, including Walthamstow and Finchley in London.

Birmingham, Blackpool and Newcastle also witnessed counter-demonstrations last night.

Sir Keir Starmer’s Government had put 6,000 specialist officers on standby to quell any potential violent disorder.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper thanked “police officers working tonight [last night] to protect and support local communities”.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley stressed he was “pleased” with officers.

“We put thousands of officers on the street and I think the show of force from the police and frankly the show of unity from communities, together defeated the challenges that we’ve seen,” he said.

“It went off very peacefully last night. A couple of locations we had some local criminals turn out and try and create a bit of anti-social behaviour and we arrested a few of them.

“But it was a very successful night and the fears of extreme-right disorder were abated.

“A successful operation thanks to communities and police.”

Last night’s counter-demonstrations come after more than 400 thugs were arrested for bringing unrest to the UK.

Riots initially spread after misinformation spread about a tragic stabbing attack which resulted in three young girls being killed in Southport, Merseyside, on July 29.

Mosques and hotels housing asylum seekers were among places targeted during the height of the disorder.

However, counter-protesters were by far in the majority last night.

About 1,500 counter-protesters gathered in Bristol and a further 2,000 reportedly congregated in Brighton.

A video circulating on social media also showed pubgoers embracing Muslims on the streets of Accrington.