Clashes in Bolton between rival groups after protest

Ch Insp Natasha Evans said the powers had been “authorised in response to increased protest activity”.

She said the force had been “working with organisers of pre-planned protests to help facilitate peaceful and lawful protests”.

She said locals would continue to see a “large presence in the town” and the additional powers would allow officers “to prevent incidents and keep people safe”.

The force used similar powers in Manchester city centre on Saturday when disorder broke out following anti-immigration and anti-fascism demonstrations.

Two people were arrested in connection with that disturbance, including one on suspicion of drunk and disorderly behaviour.

The protests in Manchester and Bolton were two of a number to have taken place nationwide across the weekend after the fatal stabbing of three girls at a Southport dance class on Monday.

False claims were spread online that the suspect was a Muslim asylum seeker who had arrived by boat.

However, Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, who was born in Cardiff to Rwandan parents and lived in the Lancashire village of Banks, has no known links to Islam.

The 17-year-old has been charged with three counts of murder, 10 attempted murders and possession of a knife.