A police building has been set on fire and shops looted in Sunderland after demonstrations turned violent.
Gatherings in Sunderland began early in the evening from 7pm, but quickly became aggressive.
Video from the incident shows violent mobs marching through the streets of the town before making their way to a mosque.
Riot police quickly formed a ring around the building as various missiles were thrown at officers.
Later in the evening footage shows a police building burning after being set alight by the violent demonstrators.
A police station has been set alight in Sunderland tonight. A far right and racist protest has culminated in this. Shame on all those who continue to excuse these protests. pic.twitter.com/BGB3lcsgO2
— Nick Lowles (@lowles_nick) August 2, 2024
Other live videos from the scene show shops being looted, including VapeLocal.com in The Bridges Shopping Centre in Sunderland.
Kim McGuiness has spoken in ‘disgust’ of tonight’s events in a statement she put out on X, formerly known as Twitter.
She said: “I’m appalled by scenes from Sunderland.
“Make no mistake, if your response to tragedy is to use it to commit violence, to abuse others, attack the Police and damage property you stand for nothing except thuggery.
“It’s not protest. It’s crime and disorder. You don’t speak for Sunderland. You don’t speak for this region. Those grieving in Southport will take no comfort from this.”
Lewis Atkinson, Labour MP for Sunderland Central, said: “I am appalled by the disorder in the centre of Sunderland tonight. Our city is not represented by a tiny minority causing trouble.
“Northumbria Police have my full support as they respond to criminal thuggery and work to protect all the communities of our city.
“Tomorrow the people of Sunderland will come together and continue to build the bright future that we have - a future where every community of our city feels safe and prospers.”
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