Lancashire Police will be on standby to tackle any potential disorder amid suggestions of various protests taking place across the county this weekend.

A number of proposed times and locations have been discussed on social media, sparking fears of a repeat of disgraceful scenes seen in Southport on Tuesday during what was claimed to be a peaceful protest. Update: Confirmation has now been given the city is very likely to see a far-right protest take place at 2pm on Saturday.

On that occasion, a police van was set on fire and around 50 officers injured as thugs kicked down walls in order to throw bricks at them. Lancashire Constabulary was among those to send officers to assist the police response and forces across the North West are prepared for similar incidents this weekend.

Read more: Hundreds attend vigil in Southport and community comes together after three girls killed in attack

Among the locations potentially said to be targeted by far right groups are Blackburn, Blackpool and Preston’s Flag Market.

Blog Preston understands that the city is not considered by authorities to be the among the most likely areas to see such protests but precautions are being taken by city council officials nonetheless.

Members of the public are not being discouraged from going about their normal business or continuing to visit shops and other city centre premises. It is also understood that, at the time of writing, no notice of planned protest has been made to the council as has happened previously.

During Friday (2 August) evening the city’s Market canopy is due to be lit pink as a display of unity with everyone affected by the Southport attacks.

A Lancashire Police spokesperson said: “We are aware of the outbreaks of disorder in other areas of the country and have initiated a command structure to reflect this and to reassure communities in Lancashire that we are able to respond quickly if we need to.

“We are also working with communities and partners to ensure that we are ready to respond to any concerns, or incidents within Lancashire. When we are aware of planned protests, we will balance the lawful right to protest with the need to prevent serious disruption and everyone’s right to go about their lives without fear or risk of harm.

“If there are outbreaks of disorder, we will robustly investigate any offences committed to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.”

Lancashire is among various forces across the country to have taken preparations for the possibility of violent disorder.

Preston saw a number of EDL and far-right groups protest in the city in the early 2010s to mid-2010s.

Read more: Opinion: Saturday’s EDL protest and community event showed why we’re Proud Preston

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer held a press conference during Thursday in response to protests in the wake of the Southport attacks which turned violent.

He said: “In relation to the violence that we’ve seen, the whole point on pulling together the meeting today was to have a coordinated response.

“The clear message from police and law enforcement is not that they need more powers – I think we have to wean ourselves off the idea that the only response is to pass more legislation every time we have a challenge in front of us – is to use the existing powers that we’ve got.

“Pulling together the intelligence, the data, making sure that that is being shared across police forces, and that as these groups sort of bounce from chief constable to chief constable around the country, we have the same robust response to them. And that we’re clear that this is violent disorder. It’s not protest, and that needs to be the starting position of the police in response to it.”

Gavin Stephens, chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, told BBC Radio: “We will have surge capacity in our intelligence, in our briefing, and in the resources that are out in local communities.”

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