UNITED BRITAIN STANDS FIRM AGAINST THUGS

Anti-fascist demos fill streets braced for far-Right chaos as thugs sent to jail

- Giles Sheldrick

THOUSANDS of counter protesters took a firm stance to crowd out the far-Right thugs who have plagued Britain's streets.

Peaceful rallies quelled tension yesterday evening as the nation came together in a united response to the mass riots.

Scores of counter-protesters tuned up ahead of an anti-immigration protest in Walthamstow, East London.

And in GBristol, outside an immigration legal centre that locals feared would be targeted by yobs, several thousand gathered in a street that was completely boarded up. One observed the night had a "carnival atmosphere".

It comes as a string of thugs involved in disturbing protests were thrown in jail for violence.

Several far-Right protesters who used the murder of three schoolgirls as an excuse to cause chaos on the streets were locked up under speedy sentencing powers.

The families of some of the cowards who were sent down sobbed as they were led away.

Stephen Parkinson, Director of Public Prosecutions, warned troublemakers, whether on the streets or sitting at home, that they would be found, charged and locked up.

He said: "Anyone stirring up hateful or threatening activity on social media is potentially contributing to the violent disorder on our streets.

Outbreaks

"You may be committing a crime if you repost, repeat, or amplify a message which is false, threatening, or stirs up racial/religious hatred.

"Be mindful of what you are saying and sharing online, as you could face prosecution."

Last night, as Britain held its breath for more outbreaks of civil disorder — with shops and businesses boarded up to prevent vandalism and looting thousands of peaceful counterprotesters took to the streets instead.

More than 6,000 riot police were on standby following reports dozens of immigration advice centres could be targeted.