COPS HOLD THE LINE

OFFICERS INJURED AS RIOTERS BATTLE WITH POLICE ACROSS UK

- PATRICK HILL, PHIL CARDY and MIKEY SMITH

YVETTE Cooper last night vowed that rioters attacking police and stoking disorder will pay the price, as officers bravely fought to keep control of Britain’s streets.

The Home Secretary spoke out after more trouble, fuelled by web lies about the Southport killings, broke out during at least 20 far-right protests.

Cops were injured battling rioters in towns and cities including Liverpool, Manchester, Hull, Stoke and Belfast.

Masked louts hurled bottles and other missiles and chanted "stop the boats" and "save our kids".

The slogans have become commonplace since false claims spread about the suspect in the triple murder of young girls at a dance class in Merseyside on Monday. There are fears of yet more violence at further demos today.

Ms Cooper vowed the thugs would face "imprisonment, travel bans and more". She said: "Anyone who engages in this kind of disorder needs to be clear that they will pay the price.

"Some perpetrators are already in custody but we expect more of that and we will support the police every step of the way. Communities have a right to be able to feel safe."

At least 1,000 hooligans massed for action in Liverpool and several officers were injured, including a woman seen slumped against a wall while being treated by colleagues.