Anti-racism protesters take to town's streets

Despite the rain, about 200 people gathered against a planned far-right protest

Hundreds of people have gathered in Shrewsbury for an anti-racism protest, a week after violent disturbances across the country.

Campaigners took to the town's square on Saturday as part of a national day of action organised by the Stand Up to Racism group.

Despite the wet weather, chants of "say it loud and say it clear, refugees are welcome here" could be heard as demonstrators waved placards reading "End Racism".

Disturbances elsewhere came in the wake of the deaths of three girls who were murdered at a Taylor Swift-themed dance session in Southport.

Campaigners chanted, "say it loud and say it clear, refugees are welcome here"

Although Shrewsbury had been among rumoured locations for anti-immigrant protests on Saturday, causing a market to be cancelled and a few businesses to close, none materialised.

More than 700 people have now been arrested over rioting, according to the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC), of whom more than 300 have been charged.

Specialist officers have now been tasked with pursuing suspected online offenders and so-called influencers, who they say are responsible for "spreading hate and inciting violence on a large scale".

Across the country, teams are investigating "hundreds of leads".

The NPCC's serious and organised crime team is working with Counter Terrorism Policing and other national agencies to review content across a range of social media sites and platforms.

Online content will be assessed by a senior investigator to determine if it meets the criminal threshold and offenders will then be identified, arrested and charged.

Chief Constable Chris Haward, NPCC lead for serious and organised crime, said inciting violence and encouraging mass disorder were "incredibly serious offences".