Five people have been arrested after groups of anti-immigration and counter-protesters gathered in Chatham.

Anti-racism protesters attending held placards supporting refugees and chanting, in Maidstone Road.

Kent Police said they were later approached by “a very small number of individuals with opposing views”.

The force said officers were in attendance to prevent any crime or disorder and arrested a total of five people over the course of the evening.

Kent Police said it had extra patrols in Canterbury, Chatham, Gillingham and Dover in case of unrest on Wednesday night.

The force said it had additional powers to deal with anyone suspected of being involved in crime or disorder and anyone who was asked to leave must do so, or risk being arrested.

But later, a spokesman for the force said: “No disorder has been reported at the location or anywhere else in Kent at present.”

About 25 counter-protesters were at the demo and a smaller number of people with opposing views.

It is understood that many in the area appeared to be general members of the public who were watching events.

Scenes boiled over at one point after union jacks were waved and two arrests were made after scuffles broke out with the police.

The two sets of protesters were kept on either side of the road by officers.