Criminals will ‘pay the price’, government warns amid fears of more disorder in the future

Thugs who cause criminal disorder on the streets will "pay the price", the government has said, amid warnings that more violence is likely in the coming days.

Clashes between anti-immigration protesters and counter-protesters took place in cities across England and Northern Ireland on Saturday, with police officers being attacked and injured and a number of arrests made, with many more expected.

The string of violent incidents in recent days began in Southport on Tuesday after three girls were killed in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said those involved in the clashes "will ...