Thousands of counter-protesters took to the streets of England last night after a week of violent unrest across the country.<br /><br />Anti-racism protesters gathered in Liverpool, London, Bristol and Newcastle to show support for refugees and immigrants.<br /><br />The Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley, who sent thousands of officers to spots around the north of England yesterday, says he's "pleased" with how it went.<br /><br />He said: “It went off very peacefully last night. A couple of locations we had some local criminals turn out and try and create a bit of anti-social behaviour and we arrested a few of them."<br /><br />Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said earlier today there's "no excuse for thuggery", adding that police and courts "stand ready" to deal with those involved in riots.<br /><br />Disorder erupted last week after the fatal stabbing of three girls in Southport - with unrest fuelled by misinformation online.<br />
