EFL football fans warned "violent" disorder will be dealt with after UK-wide riots sparked by Southport deaths

Nick Thomas-Symonds said officers will be on the look out for people engaging in “thuggish behaviour” after widespread disorder across the UK this week. Portsmouth travel to Leeds United in the highly-anticipated season opener, with the Blues returning to the Championship for the first time in 12 years.

The first four football league matches, spread across the Championship, League One and League Two, kick-off this evening. When asked about fears “far-right groups could seek to exploit” football fixtures, Mr Thomas-Symonds told Sky News: “You always are vigilant about far-right activity and that is what the government will continue to be.

“As I say, going into this weekend, it’s important that the message continues to go out that if you engage in violent, thuggish behaviour on our streets, you’re going to be dealt with quickly by the criminal justice system. We’ve already seen sentences of up to three years handed down, people now facing the inside of a prison cell because of the appalling way in which they’ve conducted themselves in recent days.

“But also we’ll continue to make those additional officers available and where there are communities with particular fears – I was in Bristol for example yesterday talking to Muslim community leaders – we will make sure that we make protection available to those communities as well. It’s hugely important.”

Riots and disorder started following the deaths of three children in Southport, Merseyside, who were stabbed at a Taylor Swift themed dance class. Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, passed away. Axel Rudakubana, from Banks in Lancashire - originally from Cardiff - has been charged with three counts of murder, 10 counts of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article.

A vigil in the town was hijacked by rioters, with dozens of police officers being injured and property being damaged. This spread across UK major cities - fuelled by misinformation online and on social media. Portsmouth saw two anti-immigration demonstrations, with one 17-year-old male being arrested yesterday for wilfully obstructing the highway - demonstrators blocked the M275. Counter demonstrators appeared at both gatherings. Racial slurs were heard at the protest near the UK Border Agency Building in Kettering Terrace on Wednesday evening (August 7).

Prime minister Sir Keri Starmer said swift justice, including sentencing, has been a deterrent to more violent disorder. At least a dozen people were jailed yesterday for their part in the riots of the past 10 days, with more expected to be sent to prison today, including some on live television.

Mr Starmer addressed his third emergency Cobra meeting since the first riot in Southport on July 30 and after many planned protests failed to materialise on Wednesday - telling the police that they need to remain on “high alert”. He told reporters that Wednesday night’s events turned out “much better than was expected” and “anybody involving themselves in disorder, whatever they claim as their motive, will feel the full force of the law”.

“It’s important I repeat that because we need to make sure that in the coming days we can give the necessary reassurance to our communities, many of whom – I’ve been talking to some this morning – are very anxious about the situation.”