Three officers have been injured during clashes in Plymouth, a Devon and Cornwall police officer says.

Speaking at the scene, Inspector Ryan North Moore says "sustained violence" had erupted following protests.

"This is not a protest anymore. In my opinion, this is violence. This is sustained violence.

"Unfortunately, large masonry was thrown at us, whether it was aimed at us or others or opposing groups - we don't know yet. The investigation will identify that," he tells Sky News.

"But, yes, three officers down."

Asked how difficult it was to police the protest, Inspector Moore said: "It's off the scale today. "With the resources we've got, it's difficult."

Armed forces minister Luke Pollard says rioters bringing violence to Plymouth's streets this evening "have no place in our city".

"There is absolutely no place for violence on our streets. There's no place for hate on our streets," the MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport says in a video posted on X.

"..We know that those people who have come to our city tonight, who have brought violence onto our streets, who have thrown projectiles at people, who have abused people because of their background or their skin colour or their faith, they have no place in our city," he adds.

• Rival protesters are facing off in Plymouth, where Devon and Cornwall Police say "arrests are ongoing" after a police van was damaged and officers were met with "a level of violence"
• Prime Minister Keir Starmer earlier announced a "standing army" of specialist police officers to ensure the police can respond to further disorder
• More than 370 people have been arrested since the unrest began last week, the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) said
• The NPCC said it expects "that total to rise each day", adding: "Work is going on around the clock to do this"

• Meanwhile, the Northern Ireland Assembly is being recalled from its summer recess after Saturday’s violence and disorder on the streets of Belfast
• A vigil was held in Southport earlier in tribute to the victims of the stabbing attack last Monday. One child remains in hospital and all other patients have been discharged, Merseyside Police said
• Countries including Australia, Malaysia, and Nigeria have issued travel warnings to their citizens about the disorder in the UK

We've just had an update from Devon and Cornwall police on the rival protests currently under way in Plymouth city centre.

The force says a "level of violence" has been shown towards officers there, and a police van has been damaged.

"We are taking action against individuals who are intent on criminality. Arrests are ongoing," it adds.

Here's some of the latest images from the scene:

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Police have warned protesters in Plymouth that anyone committing criminal offences "will be dealt with robustly".

In a post on social media, Devon and Cornwall Police says officers are at the scene of a planned demonstration in the city.

It says: "Our officers are well trained to maintain public order and we have suitable resources and plans to deal with any outbreaks of disorder.

"Our approach to this operation was to enable peaceful protests, but people who are intent on committing public order or criminal offences, will be dealt with robustly as such behaviours will not be tolerated."

As we reported earlier, the council has advised residents to stay away from the city centre this evening.

Eleanor Lawrie
Social affairs reporter

The head of the National Police Chiefs’ Council has refused to rule out asking the home secretary to bring in extra powers to deal with rioters if violent disorder continues.

Gavin Stephens told the BBC he’d had “supportive discussions” with the government and would consider “all available measures”.

When asked if the police had lost control of the situation, he acknowledged that the "scale of savagery and attack” that unfolded had “stretched police over the weekend,” but pledged to provide thousands of extra officers and specialist recourses into tackling the ongoing disorder.

The government has promised an extra 2,000 public order-trained officers on top of the 4,000 mobilised over the weekend.

Stephens described the rioting as the worst violence he’d seen in over a decade and warned those responsible that they would see justice.

“Now is the time for this to stop. There’s no reason for people to be on the streets. Yes there are grievances, people see and hear those grievances but let's be clear, this is crime".

Crowds have gathered at a vigil in Southport in remembrance of the victims of the stabbing attack last Monday.

Three children – Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine – were killed in the attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class. Eight children and two adults were also seriously injured.

One child remains in hospital, while the others have been discharged, police said earlier.

Children blew bubbles and laid flowers and heart-shaped balloons in front of the Atkinson arts centre in a tribute to the victims:

Image source, PA Media

Image source, PA Media

Image source, PA Media

Image source, PA Media

Image source, Reuters

Officers working extended hours and missing rest days to help tackle the riots are likely to become "fatigued", the Police Federation says.

Tiffany Lynch, the federation's acting national chairwoman, says that some officers will have never experienced such violence before.

"We know of recorded injuries where we've had broken bones, concussion and such like.

"But we're also seeing that these officers are working extended long hours and with the level of violence that they're facing, they will be becoming fatigued at some point," Lynch tells Times Radio.

Here's a look at how disorder in several cities across the country unfolded over the past week, in the aftermath of the Southport stabbing attack:

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham says police have a "strong plan” to deal with violent disorder in the city and had "maintained control throughout the weekend”.

Burnham says people have been brought before the courts today on charges related to the disorder, and that will continue “for the remainder of this week”.

“Criminality is criminality,” he says in a statement, adding: “If you break the law you will face the consequences”.

The rioters want to make the unrest "something it has never been before", Burnham says, “where people fear for their safety going about their everyday business".

“We must not and will not let them prevail," he adds.

Pria Rai
BBC Asian Network

After a week of demonstrations and violence, Lila Tamea feels vulnerable wearing her hijab in public.

Nevertheless, she made the decision to go to a Liverpool mosque on Friday, offering food to a group of protesters, saying the "best way to approach people on the other side is through establishing common ground".

"Small opportunities to engage in dialogue really make a huge difference," she tells BBC Asian Network.

She spoke with members of the crowd and says she found "very reasonable" people who were open to learning more about Islam.

"But I expressed to them, if you have genuine concerns and views this is not the way to do it. You're letting yourself down by associating with far-right, fascist individuals who want nothing but damage."

Lila says she had "more of a confrontational situation" with others.

"Someone was giving his middle finger over to me and I gave him a peace sign," she says.

"He just looked away in anger because I wasn't feeding him what he wanted."

Rebecca Wearn, Josh Parry and Fiona Trott
Reporting from Southport

The cousin of Leanne Lucas – the yoga teacher whose Taylor Swift dance event was attacked one week ago – tells the BBC he thinks the protests and riots that have followed should stop and are "disgusting".

Chris Rimmer tells the BBC: "I’m shocked. I’m shocked that we [the public] actually did that... I don’t understand why it occurred."

"Why riot, it’s not going to help," he says, adding he’d tell rioters to "just stop it. It’s pathetic… Just go home."

He also says the community tributes, flowers, vigils and support has given his family "strength" in the past week.

"It means so much to the family," he says. "It’s amazing, it’s wonderful to see. It puts a smile on my face every day."

Thomas Copeland
Live reporter

We've been reporting the advice given by Plymouth City Council that residents should stay away from the city centre due to concerns over planned demonstrations.

The Theatre Royal in Plymouth has cancelled tonight's performance of The Devil Wears Prada in anticipation of those protests.

"The safety of our audience members, staff and performers is always our priority," the theatre says.

We've had no reports of disorder in Plymouth yet today, but we'll keep you updated into this evening.

Image source, Theatre Royal Plymouth

Thomas Copeland
Live reporter

Healthcare workers have been told to "remain vigilant" and travel in groups by the Royal College of GPs , externalafter the past week of violence.

The college is concerned about reports of "horrific and completely unacceptable" abuse and violence against GPs and their staff, "especially those from ethnic minorities".

"Where possible and appropriate, travel in groups, avoid known areas of unrest, and keep your mobile phones charged and accessible," the body says.

Meanwhile, the Royal College of Nursing, external says the "scenes around the country are nothing short of despicable racism".

"Migrant nursing staff are precious members of our communities, hardwired into the very DNA of our health and care services – we ask government to ensure that anybody targeting them pays a very heavy price."

As we've been reporting, there have been 378 arrests across the country relating to violent disorder in the past week.

Humberside Police says it has made 29 arrests after demonstrations this weekend.

There will be an increased police presence in the area over the coming days, the force adds.

We reported earlier that the UK Parliament - which is in recess until September - is not due to reconvene to discuss the riots.

But the Northern Ireland Assembly is being recalled from its summer recess to discuss Saturday’s violence and disorder on the streets of Belfast.

The assembly will debate a motion on Thursday condemning the criminal damage affecting businesses and rejecting "all forms of Islamophobia, xenophobia and racism".

Earlier, a Belfast judge said the violence in Belfast had "racist elements" as he denied bail to four men who were charged in relation to the disorder.

Several businesses were attacked and some set on fire after an anti-immigrant demonstration moved from Belfast City Hall to surrounding streets.

• Violence arrests: At least 378 arrests have been made after the past week of violence in the UK, police say, and suspects are beginning to appear in court

• Government response: Keir Starmer says a "standing army" of specialist officers will be established to ensure they can respond to further violence
• The prime minister also insists there will be enough space in jails to ensure those responsible "feel the full force of the law"

• Southport victims: A week on from the Southport knife attack which sparked the violence, one child remains in hospital and all other patients have been discharged, Merseyside Police says
• Travel advice: Meanwhile, Australia, Malaysia and Nigeria are advising their citizens to exercise caution when travelling in the UK

The first minister has been meeting the chief constable of Police Scotland after rioting in other parts of the UK in the past week.

There has been no such violence in Scotland, although police say they're closely monitoring the situation.

While visiting Edinburgh Central Mosque to meet community leaders, John Swinney says he wants members of all communities in Scotland to feel safe.

He says the chief constable assured him of a "sophisticated" intelligence operation, and so far no particular issues have been indentififed in Scotland.

One child remains in hospital a week on from the Southport attack and all other patients had been discharged, Merseyside Police says.

Three girls – Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar – died after the knife attack at the Taylor Swift-themed event in the town.

Eight other children and two adults were seriously injured in the attack.

More now from the National Police Chiefs' Council statement.

Chief Constable Gavin Stephens condemns violence against officers as "completely unacceptable".

He says this is a "challenging time for forces" who are carrying out their work "in the face of sustained violence and assaults".

“There have been a number of officers injured, some have been hospitalised after putting themselves in harm’s way to protect others, and I wish them a full recovery," he adds.