UK riots LIVE: Cops on ‘high alert’ & given special powers to tackle riot yobs over weekend as King thanks police

Protesters gather outside immigration help centre

Police are watching over protesters who have gathered outside an immigration help centre in North Finchley.

The demonstrators are holding signs saying: "Refugees are welcome".

Swinney expresses 'deep concern' about unrest

John Swinney has expressed "deep concern" about unrest across the UK as he reassured the public that Scotland's police force had "absolute focus" in tackling any tension north of the border.

The Scottish First Minister spoke to the media from Bute House in Edinburgh after he met with faith leaders across the country in a show of "solidarity".

Mr Swinney told journalists he had "confidence" in Police Scotland's ability to handle any potential demonstrations in the country amid reports of planned events in cities such as Glasgow.

However, police chiefs have warned against the spreading of misinformation over planned events after officers dispelled speculation about a far-right protest in Glasgow's George Square on Wednesday.

Mr Swinney said: "I'm very concerned - as many people are in our community - about the violence that has erupted in other parts of the United Kingdom."

Referencing reports of unrest in Scotland, he said people were "entitled to protest" but added: "What people are not entitled to do is spark prejudice and violence - that has to be tackled."

He said Police Scotland were undertaking significant intelligence-gathering operations to identify risks of unrest.

Declaring disorder as terrorism 'not ruled out'

Declaring incidents of violent disorder around the country as terrorism "has not been, and will not be, ruled out", a police chief has warned.

It comes after director of public prosecutions (DPP) Stephen Parkinson suggested terrorism charges could be considered.

Assistant Commissioner Matt Jukes, the head of counter-terrorism policing, which is supporting forces across the country as they respond to unrest by helping with intelligence gathering and planning among other measures, said: "We know that many people will feel vulnerable at this time and we are supporting local forces with protective security expertise and advice.

"We have seen terrible examples of violent crime, disorder and criminal damage, and charges are already being brought across the country. I am very clear that using terrorism legislation or declaring activity as terrorism has not been, and will not be, ruled out.

"Counter-terrorism policing is actively assessing incidents to understand whether terrorism legislation should be applied and we will make those judgments without fear or favour.

"Our message to those involved in this disorder is; we are watching and we will not hesitate to use our powers to protect our communities."

Benn condemns 'racist violence' in Belfast

Hilary Benn has condemned "racist violence" in Belfast in recent days and stressed that it "does not represent Northern Ireland".

The Northern Ireland Secretary said he was "deeply shocked and angered" after hearing from business owners who had been targeted by "rampaging disorder" following anti-immigration protests.

He said he had spoken to First Minister Michelle O'Neill, deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, Justice Minister Naomi Long and Chief Constable Jon Boutcher.

He also spoke to representatives of the Islamic centre, as well as police officers and firefighters that had responded to the disorder.

Speaking at a community centre in Belfast today, Mr Benn said there was a responsibility on all elected representatives "to call out this racist violence for what it is".

"What we have been witnessing is completely unacceptable. This does not represent Northern Ireland. It doesn't represent the great city of Belfast.

"This is not what Northern Ireland wants to be known for."

Prosecutions chief issues warning over sharing online

The Director of Public Prosecutions has issued a warning to people thinking of retweeting or sharing online communications in connection with the disorder, saying they are "potentially committing criminal offences themselves".

Stephen Parkinson said: "We've now charged two offences of inciting racial hatred based on online communications.

"I think people need to be really aware that if they retweet or share those communications, they are potentially committing criminal offences themselves, the offences are around publication of material.

"If you retweet something, you are republishing it. We have dedicated police officers whose sole task is to scour the internet, scour social media. This is what they're focusing on.

"So, if you retweet or you reshare those communications, you will be picked up and you may expect a visit from the police, so please don't do it."

Irish cops will provide 'full co-operation'

Irish police will provide "full co-operation" to investigations into anyone who took part in recent violent disorder in the UK, Ireland's justice minister has said.

Helen McEntee said she reaffirmed a shared commitment with the UK Government on a range of matters during a call with Home Secretary Yvette Cooper.

Ms McEntee said An Garda Siochana, Ireland's police service, would fully co-operate with all investigations involving any people from Ireland who have participated in recent riots.

In a statement, she said: "We discussed the ongoing disturbances across the United Kingdom over the last week.

"We spoke about the common challenges faced by governments and countries across Europe, including similar escalations of violence in Ireland in recent times with anti-migrant undercurrents.

"Assaulting police officers, burning buildings and attacking public amenities cannot be tolerated in a democratic society.

"We agreed on the importance of countering racism, supporting our migrant communities, and bringing to justice the perpetrators of such terrible violence.

"I noted the strong, ongoing co-operation between the gardai and UK police services and assured the Home Secretary of the full co-operation of gardai, if needed, on investigations involving any people from this jurisdiction who have participated in acts of violent disorder.

"We also spoke about protecting the Common Travel Area, which is vital to the daily lives of so many Irish and British citizens, and our joint commitment to preventing any abuse of it."

Council advises residents to avoid areas of Walthamstow

Waltham Forest Council is advising residents to avoid areas in and around Walthamstow central station.

Deputy leader Clyde Loakes said: "I know as we move towards this evening that many in Walthamstow and across Waltham Forest will be both fearful and angry at what might unfold on the streets and neighbourhoods we are proud to call home.

"The council's message is clear: anyone who is thinking of coming to Walthamstow town centre today or any time to incite or undertake any sort of violence, racism or hatred is not welcome here.

"There is absolutely no justification whatsoever for the shameful actions we have seen elsewhere across the country.

"They will not be tolerated in our borough.

"This is a place where people of different beliefs and backgrounds live and work together in harmony and peace, and we are proud to be part of such a brilliant, welcoming community.

"Whatever comes to pass this evening, we will remain united and together.

"We want to assure everyone that our top priority is always to keep local people and their neighbourhoods safe.

"With that in mind, we advise all residents to avoid the area in and around Walthamstow central station, including Selborne Road and Hoe Street from Queens Road to Church Hill.

"In the event of any violence or disorder, this will make it easier for the police to take swift and immediate action against those who have caused harm or damage to our community."

Aldershot town centre quiet

Aldershot town centre was largely quiet on Wednesday evening ahead of a rumoured protest.

Several businesses were boarded up, including Pizza Hut.

Some shops had notes on their windows saying they had closed early.

One firm had a note on its window reading: "Video recording in progress."

Teen becomes 16th person charged over Southport disorder

A 17-year-old-boy from Walton has become the 16th person to be charged over disorder in Southport and Liverpool, Merseyside Police said.

The teenager, who cannot be named, has been charged with violent disorder and burglary in the city centre on Saturday.

He has been remanded and will appear at Merseyside Youth Court on Thursday morning.

Liverpool businesses close early

Businesses in Liverpool have closed early due to the potential for disorder. 

Starbucks and McDonald's on Edge Lane both closed at 6pm today.

A note in Starbucks said they closed early to protect staff from disorder.

Edge Lane is one of the busiest roads in the city. 

'Good vibes only'

A sign in North Finchley, London, says: "Good vibes only".

The area in the north of the capital is among those earmarked for right-far protests.

A police van is parked next to a lamp post where a person was seen putting up the signage.

Cops fear 'potential for trouble' into weekend

Cops fear there is "potential for trouble at the weekend", according to Sky News.

With the Championship season kicking off on Friday night and then into the weekend, police bosses are said to be worried the far-right demos could gather further steam.

Hundreds of protesters gather in Hackney

Around 200 protesters are gathering by the old fire station in Hackney, East London, where an immigration centre is located, according to reports.

King Charles asks to be kept updated

The King has asked to be kept updated on the evolving situation across the country, according to reports. 

He is engaging privately on the issues the unrest has generated, reports Sky News. 

Police out in force in Walthamstow

Police officers disperse a group of residents in Walthamstow.

Police prepare for unrest in Sheffield

Photos show riot police officers on guard ahead of expected unrest in Sheffield, South Yorkshire.

Walthamstow remains quiet as businesses left in 'no-man's land'

Walthamstow is still fairly quiet as things stand.

There's plenty of police presence, with most businesses along the high street shut and boarded up.

Shop owners were scrambling to put up shutters and wooden boards amid rumours of protests against the Walthamstow Forest Immigration Bureau.

Some counter-protesters from groups such as Amnesty International and Stand up to Racism were spotted speaking to officers in the area.

A local estate agent said: “It’s just the uncertainty of it all. We’re stuck in a no-man’s land.

“We haven’t closed up yet but most of the other estate agents have. 

“It’s so hard to work with all the police presence outside and people boarding their shop windows.”

Some young men have been seen being stopped and searched by police in the area.

Cops have 'no intelligence' of riot despite 'acid attack' fake news

Residents staying in city centre apartments in Manchester have been told to stay home between 6pm and 10pm over fears violence could reach central landmarks.

Greater Manchester Police said it had no intelligence that a riot would take place in the city centre.

Earlier today fears of a counter protest were sparked after fake news of an “acid attack” against a Muslim in Bolton spread across social media.

Bolton South MP Yasmin Qureshi later clarified: “I spoke to the superintendent at 12.40 and can assure you this is categorically NOT true.”

More businesses have been boarding up their premises and fleeing the local area over fears they could be targeted.

'Racists stay away'

A business on Queens Road, Brighton, has put up a sign saying: "Racists stay away."

Crowds begin to gather in Derby and Middlesbrough

Crowds of protesters are beginning to gather in Derby and Middlesbrough.

TikTok lives streams showed the gatherings outside shops this afternoon in both locations.

One shows a protest on Normanton Road, Derby, near the YG3 mens clothing shop, among other businesses.

Derbyshire Police have put special measures in place ahead of the expected chaos, with far-right marches planned in the city.

Shopping centre Derbion is among the businesses to have shut early in a bid to keep people safe.

A dispersal order has been put in place at 12pm today and will continue throughout the night until 7am on Thursday.

Dispersal orders give officers the power to ask groups of two or more to leave the dispersal area if they are seen committing anti-social behaviour.

They can also be sent on their way if officers believe they may, or are likely to, cause a nuisance to someone else. Anyone committing an offence who refuses to abide by police instruction can be arrested and may face a fine of up to £2,500 and/or a prison sentence of three months.

Pubs agree to close early in Wigan

Multiple pubs in Wigan agreed to close early over fears alcohol was playing a role in spurring on thugs to riot.

The Charles Dickens bar slammed doors shut over fears of disorder, telling punters it had been sent threats of “retaliation” if it stayed open.

Another pub, the Old Pear Tree, also closed at 6pm “to keep our valued customers safe”.

Police issue dispersal orders in Carlisle and Lincoln

Dispersal orders have been put in place in Lincoln and Carlisle as police brace for potential far-right gatherings tonight.

The order essentially gives police officers the power to tell people to go away - if they believe they are engaging or likely to engage in anti-social behaviour.

It also allows them to order anyone to remove a face covering, seize items and arrest anyone who returns to an area they were told to leave.

Merseyside Police already have the order in place in south Liverpool until 7pm tomorrow, while Durham Constabulary said officers issued dispersal orders to 37 people, aged between 13 and 38, who arrived in Durham city centre last night.

Cumbria Constabulary say their order covers the city centre in Carlisle until midnight.

Counter-terror cops 'actively assessing incidents'

Counter-terrorism cops are "actively assessing incidents" to understand whether terrorism legislation should be applied.

Met assistant commissioner Matt Jukes said counter-terror police were supporting forces across the county in response to the "disgraceful disorder".

This includes using intelligence gathering.

"We have seen terrible examples of violent crime, disorder and criminal damage, and charges are already being brought across the country," he said.

"I am very clear that using terrorism legislation or declaring activity as terrorism has not been, and will not be, ruled out.

"Counter terrorism policing is actively assessing incidents to understand whether terrorism legislation should be applied and we will make those judgements without fear or favour."

Just two people turn up for march in Burnley

The first far-right protest planned today failed to start after only two people turned up — and the rest were defeated by the weather.

Thompson Park in Burnley, Lancashire, had been set to stage a march of hundreds of yobs, with the mass gathering promoted across pages on social media to begin at 1pm.

Police had earlier warned there was a legitimate threat as local shops closed early and a Muslim boarding school boarded up windows to protect against flying missiles.

But the 15-acre park has been left unbothered by protesters as the first of more than 100 events planned by fringe far-right groups badly flopped.

The Sun saw just two protesters, including one cycling with an England flag, walk around the popular dog walking spot before leaving minutes later.

Two police cars and a police public order van were dispatched to the site though one officer said heavy showers had likely put some would-be agitators off.

A park cafe and its boating lake also remained open, with the coffee stop’s manager, who declined to be named, adding: “To be honest, I never thought it was going to happen.

"What would they get out of coming here? “We’d all seen the rumours and obviously nobody wants this sort of thing to be near them.

“Hopefully they wont turn up anywhere else.” 

Elsewhere in the park a children’s noddy train continued to puff around.

The failed protest is the second to flop in two days after a mass gathering in Salford, Greater Manchester, also failed to take place.

Shops had closed in preparation for the potential riot but zero far-right activists showed.

Yobs may have also been deterred by swift and severe jail terms handed out to rioters in Southport and Liverpool.

Shops shut early amid talk of riots - but no sign of any

Shops in Tamworth and Northamptonshire are shutting early amid talk of riots, but there are no signs of any for now.

Talk of counter-protests later on in those places and Derby, as well as Birmingham.