THE BIGGEST police mobilization in British history took to the streets last night to fight a planned massacre of 100 places by far-right thugs.
All but two of the 43 forces in England and Wales were on alert for fresh demonstrations after the Southport tragedy, with 6,000 elite officers ready for chaos.
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Police protect a small number of far-right thugs from protesters in Brighton
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Workers install charity shop amid fears of anti-immigrant protests in Southend Credit: ROB WELHAM / McLELLAN
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A protester clashed with police during a protest in SouthamptonCredit: Story Picture Agency
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Hundreds crowd for counter-protests in central BristolCredit: SWNS
A group of riot police vans were in position from 5pm as King Charles made an official request to be kept informed of developments after the thugs vowed to target dozens of migrant centres.
Early hopes that violence might not develop rose, however, as the first planned protests scheduled for 1pm saw just two protesters out of hundreds expected take to Burnley’s Thompson Park.
It comes as…
And in Brighton, counter-protesters outnumbered the anti-immigration group roughly 100 to one.
Around 500 arrived to protect the Asylum Rights Legal Firm in Queens Road after just five thugs turned up to try to rob it.
At least a dozen counter-protests were held across the country, overwhelming others who tried to fan the flames.
Met Police Chief Constable Mark Rowley said: “We’ve put thousands of officers out on the street.
“I think the show of police force and frankly the show of community unity defeated the challenges that we saw.”
Hundreds took to the streets in Bristol, Birmingham and Walthamstow in north-east London.
In nearby North Finchley, orange posters reading “refugees welcome” appeared on the high street.
A large group gathered in Hackney, east London, as the capital’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, urged people to show “caring and compassion”.
Anti-immigrant crowds gathered last night in Sheffield, Derby and Middlesbrough where, along with Carlisle, Lincoln and Durham, dispersal orders were in place to combat the trouble.
Businesses across the country are closing early, including a late-night Metro Tesco in Birmingham under one of the designated 100 migrant centres.
‘Shortly deployed’ cops face near-impossible challenge with 100 riots planned in night of chaos
Stores in Liverpool, Tamworth, Staffs, Bristol and Southend in Essex have also closed.
Video on Twitter/X showed workers closing windows in Northampton.
In Manchester, police cars were parked outside Piccadilly Gardens, the scene of Saturday’s riots.
Supermarkets including Tesco were on high alert, while broadcaster Sky had extra security at its campus in Osterley, west London. Staff were told to leave work early and avoid nearby stations.
‘Deeply saddened’
Several pubs in Wigan, Gtr. Manchester, agreed to close early because of fears that alcohol was playing a role in fueling violence.
A spokesman for the Lincolnshire Community Foundation said the organization was “deeply saddened” by the riots planned for last night in Lincoln.
People are on edge
Abrar Javid, from Rotherham Muslim Community Forum
He added: “The damage caused not only disrupts years of dedicated efforts to build strong and inclusive communities, but is also in stark contrast to our core values.”
Abrar Javid, of the Rotherham Muslim Community Forum, said locals were fearful of a possible repeat of violence on Monday when a hotel where asylum seekers were staying was attacked.
He said: “People are on edge. There is heightened concern and anxiety about what might happen given what has already happened.
“The Muslim community called us.
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Flag-wielding counter-protesters gather in Walthamstow ahead of rumored riotsCredit: Reuters
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An anti-immigrant protester makes the V sign as police protect him in BrightonCredit: Alamy
“Mothers who are just doing their daily chores, shopping, ask us if it is safe to go outside, if it is safe to take the children to the park and if it is safe to go to prayer.
“It causes chaos and affects many families psychologically and emotionally.”
Saira Hussain, who runs HAD, an architecture firm with offices in Manchester, Burnley, Blackburn and north London, described last week’s protests as “really disturbing”.
She said windows were smashed at a central Manchester shop next to HAD’s offices, while neighboring businesses had their shutters down all week.
She said: “This area has been a ghost town since Monday. I have always known this country only as my home. I am a third generation British Pakistani.
I bet I have contributed a lot more to this country than any of these troublemakers
Saira Hussain, who heads HAD
“I was born here, I studied here, I do business here and I employ people from this country.
“I bet I have contributed much more to this country than any of these troublemakers. It would be nice to live and work in peace.”
Earlier, fears of counter-protests were fueled after fake news emerged on social media about an “acid attack” on a Muslim man in Bolton, Gtr Manchester.
MP Yasmin Qureshi clarified: “I spoke to the supervisor at 12.40pm and I can assure you that this is categorically NOT true.”
Meanwhile, an office manager at the East Midlands Immigration Advice Service said he felt “very, very scared and upset” after threats were made to his workplace and surrounding businesses.
The man, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “In this area, all the shops next to us are also very scared.
“Offices and restaurants – they are very scared and upset.”
Meanwhile, police said their thoughts turned to Friday and the weekend, when they believe there is “potential for trouble” when the Championship football season begins.
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Shop windows are boarded up in the East Midlands town of NorthamptonCredit: PA
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