Violent disorder in Bolton this summer was linked to a “criminal minority of thugs and extremists”, the Home Secretary has said.

Heated scenes erupted around Victoria Square and Bradshawgate on Sunday August 4 after riot police kept rival groups of demonstrators and counter demonstrators apart.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has now told the House of Commons that this and other incidents around the country arose after these groups “hijacked” grief in Southport.

She said: “While millions of decent people across the country were praying for bereaved families, a criminal minority of thugs and extremists saw only an opportunity to hijack a town’s grief.”

Ms Cooper told the House of Commons that more than 100 police officers had been injured around the country during the disturbances.

She then turned to examples of disorder around the UK.

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Ms Cooper said: “In Sunderland, a Citizens’ Advice branch set alight. In Liverpool, a library and vital community hub was torched.

“In Hull, shops were looted, and a mosque was targeted.

“In Rotherham, a hotel used as asylum accommodation was set alight when people were inside.

“In Bolton, clashes between rival groups involved fireworks and bottles thrown. And we saw people targeted in the streets because of the colour of their skin.”