Police brace for disorder as far right promotes anti-migrant protests

Police are braced for potential disorder in towns across England this weekend amid the far right's promotion of a range of protests against asylum seekers, with anti-racism activists planning counter-protests.

- Ben Quinn

Restrictions will be in place today at locations including Norwich, and officers will police at least 12 other towns and cities this evening.

There are particular concerns around a planned protest tomorrow at council offices in Nuneaton, where Warwickshire police dismissed claims by a Reform UK council leader the force held back information over the alleged rape of a 12-year-old girl.

Although local people have been involved in protests in recent weeks at many of the locations, a range of far-right groups and influencers are heavily involved in promoting the protests, including supporters of the activist known as Tommy Robinson.

The chair of the National Police Chiefs' Council's operations coordination committee, Ben-Julian Harrington, the chief constable of Essex police, said: "We urge communities to carefully consider the information they read, share and trust from online sources.

"It is essential to remain aware of the potential for motivations behind such content. We would encourage the public to access formal authorities for accurate information.