Fears of further disorder in Middlesbrough quashed

Thousands of peaceful anti-racism demonstrators appeared to quash fears of further violent disorder on Wednesday night (& Auguat), despite the threat of more than 100 planned protests.

In many towns and cities shops were boarded up over fears of further rioting after a week of violent disorder which started in Southport, Merseyside, on July 30.

The Immigration Advice Centre in Middlesbrough was one of the sites earmarked by far-right protestors last night.

But in most places - including Linthorpe Road - planned anti-immigration protests failed to materialise.

However, large numbers of counter-protesters gathered in areas including Newcastle, Walthamstow, east London, Bristol, Liverpool and Sheffield.

According to Stand Up to Racism, an estimated 25,000 people took to the streets to take a stand - they said - against racism and violence.

Early indications suggest up to 4,000 people were at Newcastle's West End.

The crowd were chanting "Whose streets? Our streets" and "Say it loud, say it clear, refugees are welcome here".

However, officers arrested a man in Middlesbrough after he refused to remove a face covering.

Cleveland Police said he was then searched, and found in possession of drugs and an offensive weapon.

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