Police hail peaceful protesters for 'great defiance'

Crowds gathered outside Accrington Town Hall on Wednesday evening as a man on a megaphone talked about how "everyone was welcome" in the town

Police have praised peaceful protesters who they said showed "great defiance to disorder and intolerable behaviour" in demonstrations on Wednesday evening.

In Greater Manchester, events passed "without significant disorder", the force said.

Lancashire Police also said there was a "strong feeling of community cohesion" at events in the county, which "passed off largely peacefully".

The tranquil gatherings contrasted with disorder seen at the weekend, when fireworks, bottles, tiles and eggs were thrown as rival groups in Bolton clashed and a mob of nearly 1,000 people were thought to have been involved in disturbances in Blackpool.

In Oldham, a small crowd of counter-protesters gathered

Police had been braced for further violence in locations where anti-immigration protests had been expected - but instead counter-protesters, some chanting "refugees are welcome here", formed the bulk of those who gathered.

Rioting was sparked by misinformation online that the suspect in the fatal stabbing of three girls in Southport on 29 July was a Muslim asylum seeker.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) thanked residents who attended the latest protests for expressing their views "in a peaceful and lawful manner".

The force added: "Many have shown great defiance to disorder and intolerable behaviour, and we would like to reiterate our gratitude to the majority of our law-abiding residents, businesses, and visitors, for their support and determination to keep our communities safe.

"Whilst we have seen an increase in misinformation being circulated online, attempting to fuel divisions, we are proud our communities are standing against this."

Meanwhile, the force said it had made a further seven arrests on suspicion of violent disorder during unrest last weekend.

A spokesman said the total number of arrests in connection with the unrest had reached 49, with 31 charged.

Lancashire Police said it made two arrests in Blackpool but protests events passed off "largely peacefully"

GMP urged anyone who saw any information circulating online about any further possible disorder to report it.

It said it had a "proud tradition" of upholding the democratic right to protest, with large scale events "taking place peacefully week in, week out, across Greater Manchester".

It would not tolerate any incidents of intimidation, abuse, or violence, the force added.

There was some minor disruption at the Blackpool event on Wednesday, with two arrests made.

Lancashire Police's Assistant Chief Constable Phil Davies said a 38-year-old man, of no fixed address, was held on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon.

A 19-year-old man from the resort was also arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon and criminal damage.

He said the remaining protest in the town concluded peacefully and the force remained grateful for the public’s support.