Three arrested after city marches

Three men have been arrested for public order offences during marches held by British National Party members and anti-racism supporters in Liverpool.

The men are aged 20, 22 and 32 years, and from Prenton, Wallasey and Liverpool, Merseyside police said.

About 100 people from each campaign group were kept apart by police as they marched through the city centre.

Extra officers had been drafted in to cover the events, a police spokesman said.

Ch Supt Tony Doherty said: "The force liaised with both groups earlier in the week in a bid to minimise disruption to members of the public and to ensure that congestion was avoided where possible.

"Extra officers were brought in to ensure that everything ran smoothly and to reassure the public through highly visible policing."