THE biggest police mobilisation in British history rolled on to the streets last night to combat planned carnage at 100 sites by far-right thugs.
All but two of the 43 forces in England and Wales were on alert for more demonstrations in the wake of the Southport tragedy, with 6,000 elite officers braced for chaos.
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Banks of police riot vans were in position from 5pm as King Charles made a formal request to be kept updated on the evolving situation after thugs vowed to target scores of migrant centres.
Early hopes the violence may not develop were boosted, however, as the first planned demonstration scheduled for 1pm saw only two protesters out of hundreds expected turn out at Thompson Park in Burnley.
And in Brighton, counter-protesters outnumbered an anti-immigration group by about 100 to one.
Around 500 arrived to protect an asylum rights legal firm in Queens Road after just five turned up to attempt to ransack it.
There were at least a dozen counter-protests held across the country overwhelming others attempting to fan the flames.
Hundreds took to the streets in Bristol, Birmingham and Walthamstow in North West London.
In nearby North Finchley, orange posters bearing the words “refugees welcome” appeared around the high street.
A large group gathered in Hackney, East London, as the capital’s mayor Sadiq Khan urged people to show “care and compassion”.
Anti-immigrant crowds were massing last night in Sheffield, Derby and Middlesbrough where, along with Carlisle, Lincoln and Durham, dispersal orders were in place to combat trouble.
Businesses nationwide shut early, including a late-night Tesco Metro in Birmingham below one of the named 100 migrant centre targets.
Shops in Liverpool, Tamworth, Staffs, Bristol and Southend in Essex also closed.
A video on Twitter/X showed workers boarding up windows in Northampton.
In Manchester, police cars were parked next to Piccadilly Gardens, scene of disorder on Saturday.
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 over fears alcohol was playing a role in spurring on thugs.
A spokesman for the Lincolnshire Community Foundation said the organisation was “deeply saddened” by riots planned for Lincoln last night.
People are on edge
Abrar Javid, of the Rotherham Muslim Community Forum
He added: “The damage inflicted not only disrupts years of dedicated efforts to build strong and inclusive communities, but also stands in stark opposition to our core values.”
Abrar Javid, of the Rotherham Muslim Community Forum, said locals were frightened about a possible repeat of the violence on Monday when a hotel housing asylum-seekers was attacked.
He said: “People are on edge. There’s heightened concern and anxiety for what might happen given what’s already happened.
“The Muslim community have been calling us.
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“Mothers just going about their daily business, shopping, are asking us if it’s safe to go outside, whether it’s safe to take their kids to the park, and whether it’s safe to go to prayers.
“It’s causing chaos and psychologically and emotionally it’s affecting a lot of families.”
Saira Hussain, who runs HAD, an architectural practice with offices in Manchester, Burnley, Blackburn and North London, described last week’s demonstrations as “really upsetting”.
She said a shop in central Manchester next to HAD’s offices had its windows put through while neighbouring businesses have had their shutters down all week.
She said: “The area’s been a ghost town since Monday. I’ve only ever known this country to be my home. I’m a third generation British Pakistani.
I bet I’ve contributed much more to this country than any of these trouble-causers
Saira Hussain, who runs HAD
“I was born here, studied here, trade here and employ people from this country.
“I bet I’ve contributed much more to this country than any of these trouble-causers. It would be nice to live and work in peace.”
Earlier, fears of a counter- protest were sparked after fake news appeared on social media of an “acid attack” against a Muslim in Bolton, Gtr Manchester.
MP Yasmin Qureshi clarified: “I spoke to the superintendent at 12.40 and can assure you this is categorically NOT true.”
Meanwhile, an office manager at an East Midlands immigration advisory service said he felt “very, very scared and upset” following threats directed to his workplace and surrounding businesses.
The man, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “Around this area all of the shops that are next to us, they’re very scared as well.
“Offices and restaurants — they’re very scared and upset.”
Police, meanwhile, said their thoughts were turning to Friday and the weekend, when they reckon there is “potential for trouble” when the Championship football season begins.
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