Police in riot gear at Belfast protests

Hundreds of people turned up for an anti-racist counter-protest in the heart of the city centre after social media calls for an anti-immigration demonstration in the city in the wake of the murders of three young children in Southport.

Police in Belfast are mounting a significant security operation as a confrontation between anti-immigration and anti-racism protesters is continuing in the city centre.

The two groups were exchanging insults and a small number of fireworks and other missiles have been thrown amid tense exchanges in front of the City Hall.