Chairs and bottles were thrown in Blackpool as far-right rioters and counter-protesting punks clashed.

According to reports, police took ten minuted to arrive to clear brawlers from the square in front of Blackpool Church.

Avon and Somerset Police said 14 people have been arrested following disorder in Bristol.

Neighbourhood Chief Inspector Vicks Hayward-Melen said in a statement: “Some of the scenes we saw in Bristol tonight were completely unacceptable.

“We will always facilitate peaceful and lawful protests, however the behaviour from a minority of people tonight crossed the line.

“Fourteen people have been arrested for various offences and there will be further arrests over the coming days as we work to identify those responsible for this disorder. Make no mistake – they will face the full force of the law for their thuggery.

“I’d like to thank officers, including those who have come from other forces, for their commitment to protecting the public and also our partners for all their support.”

Merseyside Police said officers have arrested 11 people over the Liverpool city centre disorder.

The force said more will follow once officers have trawled CCTV, bodycam and camera phone footage.

Many of the protesters in Bristol had dispersed by 10pm, leaving only around a dozen who congregated in a car park in Redcliff Street, opposite a hotel that has been used to house asylum seekers.

A large police presence remained in the area.

The was further violence in Liverpool as youths began pelting police cars.

Officers had responded to information about a mob planning to close a mosque in the Walton area.

Merseyside Police said in a statement: “We can confirm there is a significant police presence on County Road in Walton as a result of people being involved in serious violent disorder this evening.

“Officers were deployed to the area following information about a planned disorder close to a mosque.

“Shortly after 9pm, a number of people including youths began throwing objects at police vehicles.

“A wheelie bin was also set alight and extinguished by Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service.

“A Section 60 order is in place across Liverpool this evening, until 8.40pm on Sunday, giving officers extra powers to stop and search people suspected of carrying weapons or planning criminality.”

Police arrested 20 people in Lancashire with the biggest disorder seen in Blackpool.

There were also disturbances in Preston and Blackburn.

Assistant Chief Constable Phil Davies said: “We have today made a significant number of arrests following tension in Blackpool and some minor disruption in parts of Preston and Blackburn.

“In Blackpool, we have witnessed some mindless thuggery from individuals, who we believe to be from outside of the county, intent on causing issues in our communities.

“We have also seen some small pockets of tension elsewhere in the county.”

In Bristol, a group dispersed from the city centre and headed to the Mercure Bristol Hotel at Redcliff which has been used to house asylum seekers.

They were outnumbered by a group of counter-protesters who chanted: “We are many, you are few. We are Bristol, who are you?”

More disorder is likely in the coming days, police have said.

Chief Constable BJ Harrington, who speaks on public order for the National Police Chiefs’ Council, said in a statement: “This week we have seen appalling behaviour that in no way shows compassion or respect for the little girls who were killed and injured last week. It shows no respect for our communities, and it will be stopped.

“We know people will try and do this again in the coming days and policing has been and will continue to be ready.

“There are 130 extra units in place across the country, meaning almost 4,000 extra public order-trained officers to deploy.

“So if you’re planning to cause trouble and disorder our message is very simple – we’ll be watching you. Anyone committing a criminal offence will be detained and brought before the courts.

“In recent days we have seen criminals masquerading as protesters, causing senseless destruction.

“These people are not protesters, they’re violent thugs – and many have already been arrested and charged.”

Staffordshire Police said 10 people, all male and aged between 52 and 15, had been arrested on suspicion of offences including assault, violent disorder and racial or religious threatening behaviour.

The force said two men at the centre of online claims that they had been stabbed had actually been hurt when a blunt instrument was thrown in the air.

They are in hospital and police said their injuries were not serious.

Three police officers suffered minor injuries.