Tensions rise between protesters in Brighton amid planned riots

Thousands of counter-protesters flock onto British streets to crowd out anti-immigration demos planned at '100 sites' - leaving agitators in Brighton seeking protection from police as the country remains largely calm

Thousands of Brits have sent a message to far-right thugs who plotted to attack the offices of immigration lawyers - after turning out in huge numbers to see off hate in the wake of the Southport stabbings.

Around 100 hate-fuelled protests were planned across the country tonight, many of which were planned in now-deleted far-right groups on apps such as Telegram, with police deployed in their biggest mobilisation of resources since the 2011 riots.

Thugs had been using now-banned channels on the app to threaten the lives of anti-racism campaigners, make sick slurs and exchange tips on how to 'hood up'.

But promises to turn up at immigration centres, lawyers and refugee hostels at 8pm seemingly vanished into thin air - as hate mobs were seemingly cowed by a swell of anti-racist protesters who turned out in force in cities across the UK.

Counter-protesters have come out in their thousands in Bristol, Birmingham, Brighton, Liverpool, Newcastle, Sheffield and several London boroughs to send one clear message: Britain does not welcome hate.

The demos came as scores of arrests and dozens of convictions were made in rapid time following more than a week of unrest after three young girls were killed at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport on July 29.