Blackburn residents have had their say on far-right protests which caused havoc throughout the country in recent days.

Following the tragic stabbing of children in Southport, far-right thugs have taken to the streets in towns and cities across the country unleashing serious disorder, with shops and hotels set on fire, police assaulted, and looting taking place.

Only minor disruption was reported in Blackburn on Saturday when a demonstration was due to take place, with police commended for their ability to disperse the groups.

Out in Blackburn town centre on a warm and sunny afternoon, residents spoke to the Lancashire Telegraph to give their take on what has been going on.

Sarah Lemeche has lived in Blackburn her whole life and said she is disgusted by what is going on.

She said: “I think it is absolutely shocking. My daughter is mixed race, so I am worried about her.

“I don’t think it is anything to do with those poor children that were killed but it is just an excuse for the racists and the thugs to go out and batter people."

Sarah believes that a greater understanding of the Muslim faith is essential and pointed to the work done at Quilliam Mosque, in Liverpool, as an example.

Quilliam Mosque invited far-right ‘protestors’ into their mosque and offered them food and an open conversation regarding Islam and its importance to Muslims.

Ibrahim Patel, 21, has grown up in Blackburn and felt the protests did not represent the town, which he said has such a strong community.

Ibrahim PatelIbrahim Patel (Image: Newsquest)

He said: “I didn’t see many people in Blackburn, and I didn’t think there would be here in Blackburn.

"We are a strong community here, there are a lot of white people, black people and Asian people who get on great, and I didn’t think there would be much trouble."

Despite this, he was going to go into town on Saturday to sell his old phone but decided not to when he heard of the protests.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has insisted that rioters would regret engaging in far-right thuggery and they would face the full force of the law.

Caroline, a Blackburn resident who considered joining the counter-protest on Saturday, had a message for all those involved.

She said: “Stay at home. It doesn’t make sense to me.

"It is just racist behaviour, and they are just looking for an excuse to go out and spread their racism.

“Who do they think they are trying to tell people where they do and do not belong?

“They are revolting against people who were born here and grew up here and have as much right to be here as they do. Think about your actions, it doesn’t help anybody.”

More than 20 protestors were arrested yesterday across Lancashire, with the majority happening in Blackpool.

Blackburn resident Thompson felt the police should be commended for their efforts but now it was time to call in the Army to deal with the demonstrations.

He said: “It is like fringe elements have declared war on the country, and when there is war you bring the army in.

“I just think the situation has nothing to do with the original issue really and I think it’s an excuse for thuggery and I find it terrifying.”

After the stabbings in Southport last week, misinformation was spread on social media that the alleged perpetrator was a Muslim illegal immigrant who had arrived in the country on a small boat.

The person who has been charged with three counts of murder, and 10 counts of attempted murder, is Axel Rudakubana, 17. He was born in Cardiff and lives in Banks, Lancashire, and his family are of Rwandan heritage.

Tony, who was born in Blackburn but now lives in Oswaldtwistle, thinks this misinformation is to blame and better education and conversation are needed to strengthen community relations.

He said: “The first thing we need is dialogue, there are white young men who don’t understand.

"We need dialogue, education and to take a step back and stop listening to what you read on social media.”

However not everyone we spoke to was against the protests.

Cath Mawmen, 75, and Marlene Dewhurst, 77, felt perceived support given to the Asian community by the government was "spurring on" the protestors.

Cath said: “The more I think it is aiming, the more non-whites are getting more wound up, that is what is driving them.

"Keir Starmer, saying we have got to protect the mosques for the Muslim community, what about us?

“We got a warning on social media and my daughter told me not to go into town. You think hang on, we live here.

“The more the up aboves are giving the mosque and Asian community, the more problems there will be.”

There are no reports of any churches that have been damaged since the incident in Southport.

Greater protection and additional security for mosques potentially at risk is available, the Government has announced, after Muslim communities were targeted by protestors, with the Prime Minister saying "people in this country have a right to be safe".