THE mayor of Bournemouth has said the scenes of violence and disorder seen across the country this weekend are not welcome in the town.

Riots were seen in towns and cities nationwide, with prime minister Sir Keir Starmer describing them as ‘far-right thuggery’.

In Weymouth, three arrests were made as protestors clashed with police, with two officers injured.

The anti-immigrant protest was billed as ‘Enough is Enough’, and took place on the Dorset town’s seafront, with a Stand Up to Racism counter demonstration at the same time on Sunday, August 4.

Councillor George Farquhar, mayor of Bournemouth, said: “My role is an honorary role, and it's to maintain and promote the historic traditions and ceremonies of the town.

(Image: NQ)

“None of those actions which we've seen of violent disorders, attacks on the police, attacks on property are acceptable.

“And none of those uphold or promote the civic traditions and historic ceremonies of the town.”

Cllr Farquhar was at the town hall on Saturday, August 3, where there was speculation there would be a protest held after social media posts.

However, the protest did not materialise.

“From my perspective, I was in my mayoral office on Saturday, because there was wind that there may well have been a protest at the town hall on Saturday afternoon,” Cllr Farquhar said.

“I was there as an observer and a witness.

“I was pleased to see that anti-racist counter protesters were in attendance at the town hall.

“I'm pleased for Bournemouth, that is reflected across the towns and cities of the country whereby we've seen violent disorder, but we've also seen local people rallying around, cleaning up afterwards, making sure that these voices of hate and violence don't go unanswered.

“So, I was always pleased to chat to them on Saturday.”

Cllr Farquhar said the counter protest was peaceful and respectful of a wedding going on at the town hall on Saturday, with new Bournemouth East MP, Tom Hayes, also in attendance.

Nationally, the prime minister has vowed to ‘ramp up criminal justice’ after an emergency Cobra meeting this morning, following the sixth day of disorder.

This followed the deaths of three children in a stabbing allegedly carried out by 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana Southport on Monday, July 29.

There have 378 arrests made since violence broke out last week.