A total of 147 people have been arrested across the UK since Saturday as far-right riots continue to cause chaos in towns and cities up and down the country.

The violence started in Southport after Axel Rudakubana was accused of stabbing and killing three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class.

Before the suspect was named, false claims that the alleged attacker had links to Islam were spread online.

Since then, mosques and hotels used to house asylum seekers in numerous towns and cities have been targeted by far-right thugs.

The demonstrations were held after former English Defence League leader Tommy Robinson posted a list of locations where protests would be held this week.

Here, Express.co.uk explains where protests have erupted into violence, looting or all-out riots.

Sunday, August 4

Rotherham:

In Rotherham, a huge group of far-right rioters gathered at a Holiday Inn housing asylum seekers.

Footage showed a reported 10 men breaking into the hotel while others on the outside tried to set the building on fire.

Police officers were also attacked with missiles.

The scenes were condemned by Prime Minister Keir Starmer as “far-right thuggery”.

An injured police officer was seen being escorted away by two colleagues. It is unclear how many arrests have been made.

Tamworth:

A mob has surrounded a hostel housing migrants in Tamworth, Staffordshire.

The group of rioters have set fire to the Holiday Inn in scenes remarkably similar to those seen in Rotherham earlier in the day.

Police said in a statement: “We’re urging members of the public to avoid the area around the Holiday Inn, Tamworth, as specialist officers continue to deal with violent acts of thuggery.”

Middlesbrough:

Three vehicles were set on fire in Middlesbrough while more cars had their windows smashed.

Express.co.uk reporter Mieka Smiles went to the scene where mobs allegedly used burning bins to attack police as the town descended into chaos.

At the time of writing, police had made nine arrests.

The main areas affected by the violence were Parliament Road, Waterloo Road and the area around the university, Cleveland Police said.

Assistant Chief Constable David Felton, of Cleveland Police, said: “We are urging members of the public to stay away from Middlesbrough while officers respond to violent disorder in the town.

“We have a high policing presence responding to the disorder and the priority remains to protect people and communities.”

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen condemned the riots, saying: “Most right-minded people can see this is being led by a group of thugs who care little about the issues they hide behind and are simply intent on causing trouble.”

Bolton:

Police placed a metal fence in the town’s square to try and keep opposing groups apart, but there were still clashes on Sunday.

Missiles were thrown between the groups.

Greater Manchester Police implemented a Section 34 order in the area, giving officers extra powers to deal with violent behaviour.

Section 60 and Section 60AA orders were also imposed to enable police to carry out more stops and searches.

Weymouth:

Around 400 people from both sides gathered in Weymouth. Assistant Chief Constable Mark Callaghan said there had been a “small number of low-level incidents”, with one man arrested for a public order offence.

He added: “This type of behaviour is not acceptable within our communities.”

Protesters had been forced onto the seaside town’s beach after police blocked off the road that runs alongside it.

Saturday, August 4

Leeds:

Rioters and counter-protestors clashed in Leeds on Friday.

Far-right groups were heard shouting “you’re not English anymore” and “p**** Muslims off our streets” while counter-protestors replied: “Nazi scum off our streets”.

Police made a “handful” of arrests after a fight broke out in the city centre.

Manchester:

Far-right groups marched by Manchester’s Piccadilly Gardens before clashing with police.

Video footage showed numerous fights, including one where a lone black man was targeted by a group of thugs.

Hull:

A Shoezone store was set on fire amid the clashes between police and rioters in the city.

A huge 25 arrests were made after the city was hit with “chaos and disorder.”

Assistant Chief Constable Thom Mcloughlin, of Humberside Police, said: “The scenes we witnessed in Hull were utterly abhorrent and there is no place for this mindless behaviour in our city.”

Nottingham:

A total of 15 arrests were made following the riots in Nottingham on Saturday.

Police had to separate rioters and counter-protestors as far-right groups gathered at the Brian Clough Statue on King Street.

Deputy Chief Constable Steve Cooper said: “The vast majority of members of the public who attended protested in a peaceful manner.

“It should be repeated, however, that anyone who comes into the city or our neighbourhoods over the coming days to cause any kind of disorder can expect a robust response.”

Blackpool:

Chairs and bottles were thrown in Blackpool as police tried to temper tensions between opposing groups.

A man was knocked unconscious when he fell backwards and hit his head on the ground during the clashes.

Assistant Chief Constable Phil Davies said: “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.”

Bristol:

Police said the situation in Bristol on Saturday was “dangerous” after clashes between the far-right and opposing groups.

Avon and Somerset police said: “While we will facilitate peaceful protest, some of the behaviour we have seen is completely unacceptable and we will not tolerate it.

“We are advising people to avoid the city centre.”

Police arrested 16 people following the violence.

Stoke:

Far-right groups were met with around 100 riot police, kitted out with riot shields and helmets.

Police say three officers were injured and 10 arrests have been made after violent clashes.

Local media reports that people were seen fleeing the scene with blood on their faces.

Liverpool:

Liverpool saw some of the worst scenes as rioters threw bricks and missiles at police.

On Sunday, Merseyside Police said six people had been charged after disorder in Southport, Liverpool city centre and Walton in the past week.

Two officers were hospitalised – one with a suspected broken nose and another with a suspected broken jaw.

Police arrested 33 people as a result of the disorder.

Inspector Al McKeon said: “The scenes we saw yesterday in Liverpool and Walton, and on Tuesday in Southport, were despicable. They left dozens of officers requiring hospital treatment and have already led to the arrests of a total of 33 suspects. These orders will give officers on the ground the ability to stop and search anyone suspected of carrying weapons or planning any criminality.

“The ultimate aim of this tool is to prevent violence and disorder and keep the public safe. People across the areas covered will see targeted and highly visible police patrols over the next 12 hours. I hope their continued presence is reassuring for all of our communities, and I would ask anyone with concerns to speak to those officers.

“We have deployed Section 60s throughout this week and will continue to deploy them where we believe they can help our efforts to keep people safe.”

Belfast:

Striking images came out of Belfast on Saturday, not least footage of men from far-right groups displaying both a Union Jack and the Republic of Ireland flag.

Rioters targeted shops and cafes with arson attacks. A Syrian shop owner said “everything I built is now gone” after the attack.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland said four people have been arrested after 13 reports of criminal damage and five of arson.

Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck said: “This disorder, violence and destruction has no place in Belfast or anywhere else across the streets of Northern Ireland.

“I would strongly urge anyone who was involved in yesterday’s rioting and disorder to think long and hard about their actions and the devastating impact this has had on local communities.”

Friday, August 2

Sunderland:

On Friday, rioters gathered in Sunderland to target a mosque on St Mark’s Road.

Meanwhile, a Citizens Advice office next to a police station was set on fire. A car was flipped onto its roof in the middle of the street and also set on fire.

Police arrested 14 people following the violent clashes, where police were yet again targeted with missiles, bricks, and other objects.

Chief Superintendent Mark Hall, area commander for Sunderland, said on Saturday: “Make no mistake, if you were involved last night expect to be met with the full force of the law.”

Six people have now been charged in connection with “disgraceful scenes” of violent disorder.

Four men aged 48, 41, 31 and 29, and one woman aged 43, have been charged with violent disorder. A man aged 27 has been charged with one count of violent disorder and one count of burglary.

They will appear before magistrates on Monday.

Wednesday, July 31

Aldershot:

Violent scenes unfolded in Aldershot on Wednesday.

They threw objects at a total housing migrants. Police have arrested two of the seven suspects involved in the case.

London:

On Tuesday, some thugs took to the streets of the capital to throw flares at 10 Downing Street.

Chants of “Rule Britannia”, “save our kids” and “stop the boats” were heard as police tried to contain the group.

Hartlepool:

The violence of Tuesday continued into Wednesday, this time in Hartlepool.

Clashes saw rioters throw missiles and other objects at police, resulting in eight arrests.

Among those arrested were 11-year-old and 14-year-old boys.

A police spokesperson said: “We understand that these events will have been hugely concerning to our communities and we want to reassure people that the actions of those involved will be dealt with to bring those responsible to justice.”

Tuesday, July 30th

Southport:

Following the tragic death of three girls during the incident on Monday, far-right groups gathered in Southport the following day.

Merseyside Police made seven arrests while warning they would seek to make further arrests in the following days after rioters clashed with police and targeted a mosque.

Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, chairman of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, said: “Our message to anyone thinking of getting involved in this type of criminality is clear – if you cause violence, you will face the full force of the law and we have the full backing of our criminal justice partners.”

A shocking 39 police officers were injured as rioters unleashed arson attacks and hurled objects.