Dozens of police were forced to push through counter-protesters to allow a few far-right demonstrators to get out of a crowd in Brighton.

People shouted, "Shame on you", cheered and waved as the handful of protesters were escorted into a police van to get them out of the area on Wednesday (August 7).

Counter protesters came apart from the crowd to walk towards Brighton train station, chanting at a small group of people: "Whose streets? Our streets!"

Stores including a kebab shop and noodle bar were boarded up along the road where protests were expected to take place in the south coast resort.

Hundreds of people were gathered in Brighton with loud drums, music playing and signs proclaiming, "No to Racism" as well as "Education is key misinformation kills".

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The counter protest was echoed up and down the country as anti-racism campaigners and supporters took to the streets to deter far right thugs, who were believed to have had more disorder in mind.

Counter demonstrators in Birmingham, Middlesbrough, Walthamstow and Sheffield gathered with placards reading "Stamp out Islamophobia" and "No to Racism".

Despite the majority of police forces facing little trouble, Scotland Yard said about 50 people gathered in North End Road, Croydon, south London, and had "made clear their intention is to cause disruption & fuel disorder".

The force said those present in Croydon had dragged and thrown objects down the road, and thrown bottles at officers - with eight people being arrested for "assaulting emergency workers, possession of offensive weapons and other offences".

A police statement said: "This is not linked to protest, this appears to be pure anti-social behaviour."

Avon and Somerset Police said they also made an arrest after a brick was thrown at a police vehicle during a "largely peaceful" protest in Bristol.

Officers were understood to be preparing to respond to more than 100 planned protests and potentially around 30 more counter-protests on Wednesday, with gatherings anticipated in 41 of the 43 police force areas in England and Wales.

One police source said it was "probably going to be the busiest day of the week, into the evening".

Around 500 anti-fascist demonstrators gathered in Glossop Road, Sheffield, but there was no sign of any anti-immigration agitators. Scores of police were in the area in baseball caps and overalls, with riot helmets hanging from their belts.

Fears of disorder were sparked after widely reported threats on Telegram that sought to "target immigration solicitors and refugee services".

Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Parkinson said the publication of immigration law firms as potential targets for disorder could be considered a terrorism offence. He said one case of alleged terrorism is "actively under consideration".

Despite the largely peaceful scene across the country, dozens of police officers in Aldershot rushed in to separate opposing groups after tempers flared on Wednesday evening.

Protesters holding "Stand Up To Racism" placards had been chanting "refugees are welcome here". A group across the road had been chanting back "stop the boats" and some walked towards the Stand Up To Racism demonstrators, stopping traffic, and angry shouting occurred.

Northamptonshire Police said three people had been arrested for public order offences in Northampton and were in custody, and no members of the public or police had been injured.

The force earlier said about 150 counter-protesters had gathered at the junction of Kettering Road and Clare Road, and that police were asking people to avoid the area.

However, in the majority of protest locations, counter protesters appeared to be the only ones present.