Chants of 'England till I die' as protesters and counter protesters take to the streets in Manchester

A dispersal notice has been authorised across Manchester city centre in order to assist police in dealing with protests, Greater Manchester Police have said. The section 34 notice will mean officers have powers to seize any item used in the commission of anti-social behaviour until 7pm tonight.

A demonstration entitled "Stand Up For Your Country: Enough is Enough" is underway in the city centre today. A counter protest - "Stop The Far Right" is also being held. Fighting has broken out in the city centre with the Manchester Evening News reporting scuffles and metal fences ripped down.

The Trans Pride Manchester march is also being held in the city centre as well as a regular Ukrainian solidarity event and an event organised by Manchester Palestine Action regarding the Gaza conflict.

Chief Inspector at Greater Manchester Police Natasha Evans said: “These powers have been authorised to make sure we can continue to provide and facilitate the right to any peaceful protests that have been organised

"Our officers will be able to instruct and advise anyone who is causing or very likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to leave an area immediately.

"People have a legal right to participate in peaceful protest, however where people are intent on breaking the law, we will take action."

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A small group of anti-Islamic protesters have gathered in Belfast city centre. The group chanted "Islam out" and unfurled union flags while an anti-racism rally took place across the road.

Police are mounting a significant security operation in the city centre. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) previously said it was aware of social media posts calling for protests including "specific calls to block roads using women and children."

Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said anti-Islamic protests would be "policed effectively" if they do materialise. A number of Christian church leaders in Northern Ireland also released statements condemning calls for protests.

Another protest took place in Stoke-on-Trent, with hundreds of demonstrators have now descended on Hanley with protesters facing up to police and chanting, reports Stoke-on-TrentLive.

Northumbria Police Chief Superintendent Mark Hall described the violent protests in Sunderland on Friday as "unforgivable."

He said: "The shocking scenes we witnessed in Sunderland last night were appalling and completely unacceptable. During the course of the evening, our officers were met with serious and sustained levels of violence. This was not a protest – this was unforgivable violence and disorder."

Deputy leader of Sunderland City Council Kelly Chequer said: "What we saw was totally unacceptable.

"We know that, sadly, many of those in our city last night were not from here, but came to cause chaos and stoke tensions, and I want to make clear that there is no place for these people. They are not welcome here."

Meanwhile, Tory leadership hopeful Robert Jenrick has criticised Nigel Farage’s remarks about the Southport stabbings, saying they did not "make the situation better."

Asked for his view on the remarks from the Reform UK leader, he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: "I don’t follow all the comments that Nigel Farage says but I don’t think any of us should be doing anything to make the job of the police more difficult at this time."

Asked whether Mr Farage’s comments had made the police’s job more difficult, he said: "I don’t think they made the situation better did they? So I think we should all be choosing our words carefully, backing the police to the hilt and doing everything we can to ensure our streets are safe and this violence, which I’m worried is escalating, comes to an end as swiftly as possible."