Police clashed with demonstrators at a far-right protest in as rival groups faced off.
Hundreds gathered outside Manchester Piccadilly station in Manchester on Saturday as supporters of far-right group Britain First prepared to march into the city.
The rally saw crowds waving Union Jacks and St George’s flags as they lined the streets.
But they were met by counter-protesters organised by Stand Up To Racism, who staged a demonstration opposite the anti-immigration group.
Manchester City Council said Greater Manchester Police had a ‘robust operational plan’ in place to manage the protests, with a focus on public safety and maintaining order.
The council said a number of ‘regular’ protests are also expected on Saturday, adding some ‘may occur across multiple locations in the city centre’.
MANCHESTER: Protesters clash with police during a far-right protest
MANCHESTER: Some demonstrators were arrested by police
MANCHESTER: Crowds were meeting outside Manchester Piccadilly railway station before a planned march towards Manchester city centre
MANCHESTER: A demonstrators in a white balaclava stands in front of a police officer in the city centre
MANCHESTER: Hundreds gathered in Manchester city centre as far-right demonstrators confronted counter protesters
MANCHESTER: Leader of Britain First Paul Golding, pictured, at the Britain First March
MANCHESTER: Counter protestors also showed up in Manchester today
MANCHESTER: In total, hundreds of people packed Manchester city centre
MANCHESTER: A group of protesters are seen holding St George and Union Jack flags
MANCHESTER: The far right protesters were confronted with counter-demonstrators
Police lined up to separate the two groups during the protest in Manchester
MANCHESTER: Some wore balaclavas and were flying St George or Union Jack flags
MANCHESTER: A picture of US President, who has pushed a policy of mass deportations in the country, was seen at the demonstration
MANCHESTER: Police line the streets to separate the two groups of protesters
US political commentator Joey Mannarino speaks to a far-right demonstration
MANCHESTER: Men hold up smoke flares at the protest this Saturday
MANCHESTER: Far-right Britain First party co-leaders Paul Golding, in suit and Ashlea Simon, to his right, lead supporters on an anti-immigration protest
MANCHESTER: A police officer classes with a protester at the rally
MANCHESTER: Masked supporters join the far-right Britain First party ‘March for Remigration’ rally
MANCHESTER: A person in a white balaclava waves a Union Jack flag
MANCHESTER: Police line up the streets to separate the two protesting groups
MANCHESTER: Police speak to people as a woman holding a flag gestures during the Britain First March
MANCHESTER: Police form a line between counter-protestors from Stand Up to Racism and people attending the Britain First march
MANCHESTER: Police form a line in front of counter-protestors from Stand Up to Racism
MANCHESTER: Woman at counter protesting holding up sign saying ‘Refugees Welcome’
Greater Manchester Police said in a statement: ‘We respect and facilitate the right to lawful protest.
‘As ever, appropriate plans will be put in place with the organisers and local partners to minimise disruption for those who live, work, and visit our city centre.’
This is not the only demonstration happening this week.
As previously reported, anti-migrant demonstrators faced off against anti-racism counter-protesters this evening outside a hotel on the south coast used to house asylum seekers.
Protesters gathered outside the Royal Beach Hotel in Southsea, Hampshire, on Friday waving flags and calling for the hotel’s closure.
Anti-migrant demonstrations have taken place across the South of England today, in locations including Portsmouth, Southampton and Bournemouth.
All the protests are taking place at locations where the government are housing migrants while their asylum applications are processed.
SOUTHSEA: Protesters wave flags as they call for the Royal Beach Hotel to be closed to asylum seekers
SOUTHSEA: Anti-migrant demonstrators face off against protesters from Stand Up to Racism outside the Royal Beach Hotel in Southsea, Hants, this evening, Friday 1st August 2025.
SOUTHSEA: Counter-protesters from Stand Up to Racism Portsmouth staged an event at the same location ‘to show friendship and solidarity with refugees’
In Southsea, counter-protesters from Stand Up to Racism Portsmouth staged an event at the same location, holding signs reading ‘Refugees welcome’.
The day of protests on the south coast follows similar recent unrest in Epping, where a series of demonstrations have taken place calling for the closure of The Bell Inn, a hotel used on and off for the last five years as accommodation for asylum seekers.
A ring of steel was also erected around The Britannia International Hotel, a luxury four-star lodging in London’s Canary Wharf that has been converted to house migrants, following sweeping protests.
An Epping-style protest to stop migrants being housed above a town’s shops took to the streets on Wednesday in Waterlooville, Hampshire – as thousands of locals warned of ‘mayhem’ if the plans go ahead.
Pro and anti-migrants protesters were kept apart by the police at the demonstration today
A man in a khaki T-shirt and tracksuit bottoms outside the New Bridge Hotel in Newcastle City Centre this afternoon, where migrants are being housed
Some anti-migrant protesters waved England football flags as police officers watched on
An arrest is made during the anti-immigrant protest, dubbed the Great British National Protest
Pro-mirants activists also attended the march in Newcastle to protest anti-migrant views
Tensions were high at the protest in the north of England this afternoon
An anti-migrant activist in a black jacket clutches a vape while looking at a police officer
Both sets of protesters got close together as they made their feelings known at the demonstration
A man appearing to hide his face in a hood holds up his phone to a police liaison officer
