About 2,000 counter-protesters took to the streets in Brighton for a peaceful protest, as police were on stand-by in case of unrest.

About 500 people had gathered by about 19:00 BST with many more to follow during the evening. People carried Stand Up to Racism posters.

There were also anti-immigration protesters at the scene, but a BBC reporter said there were eight in total.

Anti-racism campaigners also turned out in Hastings. Sussex Police had mobilised additional and specialist resources, as information circulated about planned events in Brighton, Hastings and Crawley, but there were no arrests.

Shops, takeaways and pubs closed early in Brighton, and many were boarded up.

BBC reporter Lucinda Adam said two Brighton and Hove buses were trapped after campaigners gathered at about 19:00 BST and passengers disembarked. The buses were left stranded and police closed the road.

She said: “There are constant chants of ‘refugees are welcome here’ and also a crowd singing ‘there are many, many more of us than you’.

“It’s an increasingly crowded, tense and noisy atmosphere.”

Later, she said counter-protesters turned out in their “hundreds”, outnumbering a handful of anti-immigration protesters who ended up sheltering against a building in Queens Road, surrounded by police.

The eight anti-immigration protesters had gathered outside a building they believed contained the office of a lawyer specialising in nationality and refugee law.

Counter-protesters were shouting at them “you came to the wrong town”, and “shame on you” and “this is what community looks like”, along with calls of “Nazi scum off our streets”.

Dozens more police arrived to double the strength of the ring around the anti-immigration protesters so it was two officers deep.

Officers later moved them away from the crowd and drove them away in a police van towards the railway station.

Hastings saw crowds on the pavements in an anti-racism protest, with signs that read: “Stop the far right.” People were chanting: “Refugees are welcome here.”

In Crawley, the council said police had increased patrols in key areas amid reports of potential protests and counter protests.

Council leaders said in a statement: “We are a proudly diverse town, where our friends and neighbours come from many different backgrounds, but all come together to make Crawley their home.”

Disorder across England followed the fatal stabbing of three girls in Southport – subsequent unrest was fuelled by misinformation online, the far right and anti-immigration sentiment.

Assistant Chief Constable Paul Court said: “Our message to the residents of Sussex is clear – we stand ready and prepared to keep you safe and will tackle any criminal disorder that threatens the unity of our communities.

“I am equally clear that anyone planning to take part in criminal disorder in Sussex will regret their actions. Do not do it.

“Our officers are mobilised and fully prepared, and the ramifications for those involved will stretch far beyond the conclusion of any incidents.”

Two hate crimes are being investigated by the force after there was a threat to attack a mosque in St Leonards and eggs were thrown at another mosque in Peacehaven.

The force said specially-trained officers were at the gathering in Queens Road to help facilitate the right to free speech and to ensure public safety.

Later, police tweeted: “We have now stood down from Queens Road, Brighton, where around 2,000 people who gathered this evening for a peaceful protest, have now dispersed. There were no arrests.

“We would like to thank the community for their support and engagement to help us keep people safe.”