The prime minister is believed to have issued a warning during a Cobra meeting on Thursday, urging police to stay on high alert in anticipation of potential nationwide unrest.

Speaking during his third emergency cabinet meeting since far-right violence started to spread throughout the country last week, Sir Keir Starmer commended the police and the prompt sentence of the rioting criminals.

It follows the announcement by the National Police Chief's Council that hundreds of officers were still on standby for 20 riot-related events and three counter-gatherings scheduled for today.

Following the stabbing of three young girls in Southport last Monday, 483 people have been detained nationwide in connection with violent disorder.

Due to their "disgraceful" acts, two rioters who were "at the forefront" of violent far-right unrest on Merseyside were sentenced to prison.

John O’Malley, 43, and William Morgan, 69, were both handed a sentence of two years and eight months at Liverpool Crown Court after admitting to violent disorder last Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Metropolitan Police chief Sir Mark Rowley joined his officers at dawn for raids to arrest rioting “thugs” following the anti-racism protests on Wednesday.