Several officers were also injured in Hartlepool after violence broke out in the town, Cleveland Police said.

Eight people were arrested in relation to public order offences after glass bottles and eggs were thrown at police by protesters. A police car was also set on fire.

Ch Supt David Sutherland said of the Cleveland arrests: “At this stage we believe the protest is in connection with the incident in Southport earlier this week.”

The force said they “expect further arrests to be made in the coming days”.

Disorder was also reported in Aldershot. Local MP Alex Baker said a peaceful protest “descended into intimidating behaviour” at a hotel in the Hampshire town.

“This incident was exacerbated by people from outside our community who came here determined to cause unrest,” she said.

“We all support our shared right to peacefully protest, but we will not stand for people coming to our towns determined to stir up trouble and divide our community.”

In Manchester, two men were arrested for violent disorder and assaulting an emergency worker.

Greater Manchester Police said protesters were dispersed in the Newton Heath area after “objects were thrown towards the police and public”.

Wednesday’s disorder followed unrest near a mosque in Southport on Tuesday night, during which the building was attacked.

Merseyside Police officers were also pelted with bricks and a police van was set on fire.

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