Police and protesters clashed outside a Mosque in Sunderland with officers in riot gear coming under attack with stones and beer cans thrown and flares lit.
Some protesters chanted about “two-tier policing” as the police threw a protective ring around the mosque in St Mark’s Road.
Drivers tooted their horns as vehicles passed the gathering at Keel Square. There was a loud cheer as a march set off shortly before 7pm. A large police presence was watching the marchers, some of whom were draped in England flags.
Mounted police pushed back demonstrators, some of whom were in masks. Meanwhile, customers in the next door Aldi filmed the scenes on their phones through the shop window.
Marchers in Sunderland
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Marchers in Sunderland
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People protest in Sunderland city centre following the stabbing attacks on Monday in Southport
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People protest in Sunderland city centre
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Members of the crowd marching through the city centre chanted in support of Tommy Robinson. Others shouted insults about Islam. Mounted police followed the march, along with officers in vans who battled their way through traffic to keep up.
In a statement Northumbria Police said on social media: “We are aware of ongoing disorder in Sunderland city centre. We advise members of the public to avoid the area while officers deal with the situation.”
It comes as The Muslim Council of Britain said that hundreds of mosques are strengthening their security and putting in place protective measures ahead of more planned protests.
There are fears Islamic places of worship could be targeted during demonstrations expected to take place over the weekend.
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People protest in Sunderland city centre
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Rioters were spotted wearing balaclavas
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Lord Walney, the UK Government’s adviser on political violence and disruption, said police should be prepared to step in if it appears troublemakers are travelling to incite riots.
The crossbench peer told the BBC’s Good Morning Scotland radio programme: “Where there is these kinds of gatherings which are just designed to be fanning the flames of violence, (they) should be stopping people gathering. People absolutely have the right to protest in this country, but they do not have the right to riot.”
Sir Keir returned to Southport on Friday, visiting the town for the second time this week after Monday’s knife attack.
The Prime Minister met with members of the local community, according to the Liverpool Echo, along with metro mayor Steve Rotheram, Merseyside Chief Constable Serena Kennedy and representatives from the police, faith groups, health services and the education and voluntary sectors.
People protest in Sunderland city centre following the stabbing attacks in Southport
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Protests taking place in Sunderland city centre
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The 17-year-old charged with the murder of three girls in Southport appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday, and was named as Axel Rudakubana, from Banks in Lancashire.
He is charged with the murder of Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven.
Rudakubana is also charged with the attempted murder of yoga class instructor Leanne Lucas, businessman John Hayes and eight children, who cannot be named for legal reasons, and with possession of a kitchen knife with a curved blade.
He was remanded to youth detention accommodation and will next appear in court in October.
Court artist drawing by Elizabeth Cook of 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana PA
In Liverpool, a crowd of about 200 anti-racist protesters gathered outside the Abdullah Quilliam Mosque after rumours of a far-right protest there.
Seventy-year-old Pat, who did not want to give her second name, held a placard saying “Nans against Nazis”.
She said: “We’re telling them wherever they go, we’ll be there. We’ve never allowed them in the city of Liverpool.”
She said she began protesting 50 years ago, against the National Front. She added: “Someone said to me ‘you’re too old, don’t be doing this’ but as long as they’re here someone’s got to do it.”