Protests in Manchester turn to trouble in just MINUTES as two men are arrested for public order offences

Protests in Manchester turned to trouble in just a few minutes with two men arrested for public order offences, as tinderbox Britain braces for further mayhem.

More than 35 'Enough is Enough' demonstrations are planned across the UK this weekend, with several counter-protests by groups such as Unite Against Fascism and Stand Up to Racism also set to take place.

Today, 24 rallies are expected -  22 of which are Enough is Enough protests, one an anti-racist protest and one is said to be a peaceful vigil.

Hundreds of protesters on both sides of railings set up to separate them can be seen in Manchester's Piccadilly Gardens at 9.30 this morning.

There is a heavy police presence in place, with officers swiftly intervening and detaining one man after a verbal spat, with chants of 'Nazi scum off our streets' heard from the crowd.

Widespread disruption has torn through the country this week in the wake of the Southport stabbings, where three little girls were tragically killed.

The riots in cities including London, Hartlepool and Manchester are thought to be triggered by misinformation spread online as to the identity of the teenager suspected of killing Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine.

Axel Rudakubana, 17, who was born in Cardiff to Rwandan parents, was eventually named as the suspect in a bid to stop the chaos.

Southport locals - including Elsie's mother - have desperately pleaded for the violence to stop to no avail.

The Enough is Enough rallies have seen members of the far right among the protesters including one man with a swastika tattoo.

Photos show people holding signs reading 'no to racism, no to fascism' signs in the counter-protest in Manchester, where an estimated 500 people have turned up.

There are chants of 'Tommy Robinson' heard from the protesting group - estimated to have around 150 activists - and 'whose streets? our streets' from the counter side, of around 350 people.

Others show people with hoods up and masks covering their faces - except for one man who posed for the camera as he was detained by the police.

There is also a scattering of protesters in front of Portsmouth's Guildhall, after the Enough is Enough rally kicked off at 10am.

At 11am, Manchester Police put a Section 34 dispersal order in place for the city centre for today.

There is also one in place in Blackburn, Lancs, where another rally is planned to take place.

In High Wycombe, some shops have remained closed in preparation for the protest at 1pm - but photos show no police presence or demonstrators as of yet.

The notice will mean officers have powers to seize any item used in the commission of anti-social behaviour until 7pm on Saturday.

Chief Inspector Natasha Evans said: 'These powers have been authorised to make sure we can continue to provide and facilitate the right to any peaceful protests that have been organised.

'Our officers will be able to instruct and advise anyone who is causing or very likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to leave an area immediately.

'People have a legal right to participate in peaceful protest, however where people are intent on breaking the law, we will take action.

The Enough is Enough members in Manchester shouted 'save our kids' and held up placards with 'stop the boats' as they gathered.

Extra lawyers have been hauled in for weekend duty in preparation for a mass crackdown on miscreants, while some plans suggest shuffling prisoners around the country free up more cells in the at risk areas.

On the same day, hundreds of people have gathered at the front of Belfast City Hall for an anti-racism rally.

The event has been organised in response to social media calls for anti-Islamic protests to be staged in Northern Ireland.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) previously said it was aware of social media posts calling for protests including 'specific calls to block roads using women and children'.

Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said anti-Islamic protests would be 'policed effectively' if they do materialise.

A number of Christian church leaders in Northern Ireland also released statements condemning calls for protests.

It comes after Sunderland residents woke up to carnage after riots tore through the city, setting a police station on fire and injuring officers in a night of 'unforgivable thuggery' which saw a Citizen's Advice centre go up in flames.

The devastating scenes are not over, as Britain is bracing itself for further chaos today.  

In preparation, jail cells have been cleared and lawyers put on standby as widespread disruption tears through the country in the wake of the Southport stabbings.

Those waking up in Sunderland will be confronted with the wreckage after it was besieged last night, when rioting yobs torched a police station and looted shops, as riot police were attacked with bricks and missiles by hooligans.

In a warning to organisers this weekend, Home Office minister Lord Hanson vowed 'we will be watching you' to prevent 'summer madness' from spreading, with police chiefs also warning those exploiting the nation's grief won't be tolerated.

Kelly Chequer, deputy leader of Sunderland City Council, expressed her condolences to the victims of the Southport stabbings - before slamming those who ran riot in the streets.

'What we saw last night in sunderland was nothing more than mindless violence and disorder led by a minority with an agenda of hate. what we saw was totally unacceptable.

'We know that sadly many of those in our city last night were not from here but came to cause chaos and stoke tensions and i want to make it clear that there is no place for these people. They are not welcome here.'

Four police officers are hospitalised, with eight suspects arrested for a range of offences, including violent disorder and burglary.

Northumbria Police Chief Superintendent Mark Hall said: 'I can confirm that four officers were taken to hospital for treatment last night.

'Three received injuries as a direct result of the disorder.

'In addition, one of our mounted riders sustained serious injuries in an accident and is receiving treatment in hospital.'

He said a full investigation is now under way to identify those responsible.

'Make no mistake, if you were involved last night, expect to be met with the full force of the law,' he said.

He described the violent protests in Sunderland on Friday as 'unforgivable'.

He said: 'The shocking scenes we witnessed in Sunderland last night were appalling and completely unacceptable.

'During the course of the evening, our officers were met with serious and sustained levels of violence.

'This was not a protest - this was unforgivable violence and disorder.'

He condemned the 'attempt to drive division amongst us' and said 'we are committed to make sure that doesn't happen'.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4 this morning, Sunderland MP Lewis Atkinson said he was 'really sad' about last night's mayhem and the 'racists [who] decided to turn up do not at all represent our city'.

He added: 'A night of idiots will not prevent us from building.'

Former police chief constable Sue Sim urged those who are considering joining the mayhem this weekend to 'think very carefully' before causing 'further pain and heartache' to the little girls' families.

Southport's MP also slammed the thugs for their actions, and branded them as 'disgusting extremists hijacking grief', following the killing of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance party on Monday.

Misinformation about a migrant on an MI6 watch list being the culprit was spread online - thought to have originated from a Russian-linked website - before the legal restrictions stopping the real suspect from being named were lifted.

But naming the suspect hasn't stopped the yobs from rioting, with many adverts for the rallies loaded with anti-immigrant rhetoric.

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