Force on high alert after unrest - police chief

A handful of anti-immigration protesters were at the Holiday Inn in Three Bridges

Sussex Police remains on high alert after anti-immigration riots sparked unrest across England and is ready to respond to any violence, the chief constable has said.

Jo Shiner was speaking to BBC Sussex as part of the “hot seat” series on the Danny Pike breakfast programme, which holds people in power to account.

The force has been on standby for disorder throughout and has said nine people have been arrested.

Counter-protests organised by Stand Up to Racism saw thousands of people turn out on the streets to take part in demonstrations in Brighton, Hastings and Crawley.

Several hundred anti-racism campaigners staged a demo at a Crawley hotel

Ms Shiner said: “We haven’t seen the same volume of violence that other parts of the country saw last week, but of course, we are still on high alert.

“Of course, we are making sure that we are ready to respond to any violence, any criminality – which is what it was – in order to keep our community safe.”

She said: “We police by consent in this country. We’re very privileged to do so. But what that means is that when that criminality does happen like it did, then it’s absolutely our job to step up.”

About 2,000 people turned out on the streets of Brighton in an anti-racism demo

The police chief said some of the arrests made had related to information posted online, which was “really important” to tackle.

She said a number of arrests in relation to the disorder had been made, including a couple for people who had "put stuff online, which clearly was designed to incite that violence".

She said that was "not acceptable and we will deal with it".

Disorder across England followed the fatal stabbing of three girls in Southport, with the subsequent unrest fuelled by misinformation online, the far right and anti-immigration sentiment.

Sussex Police said engagement would continue with communities to offer reassurance and a clear point of contact for anyone with concerns.

About 400 people gathered in Hastings, Stand Up To Racism said