Thousands gather for anti-racism rally in Bristol

Thousands of people gathered in Old Market in Bristol to counter a rumoured anti-immigration rally.

People began assembling in the late afternoon and by 19.00 BST the road was closed by huge crowds holding up anti-racism placards and chanting.

Hundreds of police officers were deployed in the city and Avon and Somerset Police said it had been given enhanced stop and search powers under Section 60 and Section 60AA of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act.

The powers will last until 07:00 BST on Thursday, the force said.

A large crowd of protestors gathered in Old Market

A Section 34 dispersal zone is also in place, granting officers the power to move groups or individuals causing - or who they believe are likely to cause - harrassment, alarm or distress to others.

The rally was prompted over claims on social media that protestors were planning to target an immigration lawyer's business premises.

Many businesses closed and sent staff home early as a precaution, following on from the "violent" scenes of disorder seen in the city on Saturday.

Many premises along Old Market were also boarded up earlier in the day.

Avon and Somerset Police officers were supported by specialist resources from mounted, dog and drone units, as well as officers from other forces.

Officers are also working 12-hour shifts to "help keep the city safe", the force said.

People began gathering in the Old Market area from late afternoon

The scene predominantly consisted of counter-protestors

Many counter-protestors in Old Market carried placards showing their support for the city's diverse community.

They also chanted "refugees are welcome here".

Habib, who is originally from Gambia but now lives in the city, said he saw "unity" on Wednesday evening.

"Like the old saying says - divide and we fall, together we stand. I think standing here together tonight is very significant.

“Bristol is a very vibrant and welcoming city. Bristolians would not allow anybody to bring chaos into Bristol," he said.

He added that he feels "loved" and that people along Stapleton Road were wishing him well.

Those at the scene are described a sense of "unity"

Desmond Brown, from Growing Futures, an organisation which works with disadvantaged communities, said he felt "immense pride" seeing the number of people from a range of communities at the scene.

"We’re not going to have fascists marching down into our communities," he said.

"I think there is opportunity for communities to come together and actually understand why we need to stand together and say there is absolutely no place for this kind of thuggery on our streets."

"We have people who are ready to stand up and fight for everyone in this community and we should be very proud of that," he added.

People from of a variety of communities showed their support

Supt Mark Runacres said before the gathering that police had no intelligence to corroborate rumours people were coming from outside of the city to demonstrate, and no information to suggest a march would take place down Stapleton Road.

Speaking after Wednesday's rally he said the atmosphere had made him "proud of the unity we have in this city" and how it showed Bristol's "diversity".

He added: "It makes me feel relieved for the local community, because I know how concerned people have been about any repeat of the disorder we saw on Saturday."

Police have so far arrested 17 people and charged three people following disorder in Bristol on Saturday.

Avon and Somerset Police deployed hundreds of officers in the city

Police will have enhanced powers in the city until 07:00 BST on Thursday