Met Police chief says 'fears of extreme-right disorder abated' after 'show of unity from communities'

Metropolitan Police chief Sir Mark Rowley has said the "fears of extreme-right disorder" ended last night due to a successful policing operation and "show of unity from communities".

Sir Mark said he was "really pleased" with how the overnight operation played out, after a "show of force" from police.

It was thought at least 100 far-right marches were planned to take place across the country, including in London.

"We put thousands of officers on the street and I think the show of force from the police and frankly the show of unity from communities, together defeated the challenges that we've seen," Sir Mark said.

As the night progressed, far-right protests did not happen as first thought and instead counter-protesters turned out in UK cities - including Birmingham, Liverpool and Brighton.

Sky News crime correspondent Martin Brunt said there were reports of "small pockets" of far-right protesters in places such as Portsmouth, Brighton and Blackpool.

However, he said fears about it being the biggest night of trouble faded away.

More than 6,000 specialist police had been mobilised amid fears of a repeat of the violence seen around the country over the past week.

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Asked what his message is to those who took part in disorder, which began last week in Southport after three young girls were stabbed to death in the Merseyside town, Sir Mark said: "You are not going to get away with this.

"You're on body-worn video, you're on CCTV, frankly, you're on national TV, you're going to get arrested and you're going to prison for years.

"The public need to know that there are consequences for these sorts of actions."

He said the individuals are not patriots or protesters, but "criminals" and "thugs".