Anti-racism protests take place across England after violent unrest | BBC News

Thousands of counter-protesters took to the streets of England last night after a week of violent unrest across the country.

Anti-racism protesters gathered in Liverpool, London, Bristol and Newcastle to show support for refugees and immigrants.

The Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley, who sent thousands of officers to spots around the north of England yesterday, says he's "pleased" with how it went.

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."

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said earlier today there's "no excuse for thuggery", adding that police and courts "stand ready" to deal with those involved in riots.

Disorder erupted last week after the fatal stabbing of three girls in Southport - with unrest fuelled by misinformation online.