'Commit disorder and we will arrest you', police warn

Assistant Chief Constable Andy Mariner issued a warning to anyone planning to cause disorder in the county

People travelling to Essex to cause "disorder" will be arrested, the county's police force has said.

A list calling for anti-immigration protests at specific locations on Wednesday, including two in Essex, has been circulating on social media.

Assistant Chief Constable Andy Mariner said: "There is disinformation on social media talking about activity in Essex today. Our message is clear – ignore it."

Tensions have been high after misinformation around the killing of three young girls in Southport, Merseyside, spread online, leading to riots in towns and cities in England and Northern Ireland.

ACC Mariner said anyone committing crime would be arrested

More than 400 people have been arrested on suspicion of various offences, including racially-aggravated public disorder.

“If you’re planning on coming here intent on disorder, we will be waiting for you, and you will be arrested," said ACC Mariner.

“To all the good people keep going about your business, because that’s exactly what we’re doing too.

“There is information going around on the internet highlighting specific locations around the country and some of those details of locations are just plain false, including here in Essex.

“If you turn up thinking of causing an issue, all you'll find is people getting on with their days... and our officers."

He urged people to question anything they read online and disregard information from those they did not now.

“We want people to come and enjoy everything our county has to offer – our beautiful beaches, our fantastic rural areas, and our bustling cities and towns," he added.

“If you’re coming here to do that, you are very welcome.

“But if you’re planning to commit crime, you’ll be arrested, and you won’t be going home."