Swindon is bracing itself as speculation grows that a protest from the 'far right' will take place in the town today.

Similar demonstrations have broken out into violent scenes and the destruction of property in numerous places around the country over the last week, with more than 400 people arrested.

The groups involved say they are protesting against immigration while counter-protesters have branded the movements as racist and fascist.

Clashes have escalated into violence with numerous people and police officers injured, hotels housing immigrants have been broken into and shops have been raided in looting.

More demonstrations are planned across the country today, and Swindon's institutions are bracing for the worst.

Swindon Borough Council and local emergency services are taking steps to prepare for potential disruption.

The chief executive of the local authority Samantha Mowbray is reported to have briefed her staff in an email yesterday.

She said: "We are very aware that there are a number of rumours/social media posts/ discussions about the possibility of a far-right protest(s) tomorrow in Swindon."

She informed councillors that Wiltshire Police have told the council that the threat of a violent protest in Swindon is currently ‘a medium threat because there is low-level intelligence from a single anonymous source that there may be a protest tomorrow at some point.'

It has been suggested online that some people might be gathering in the afternoon in the town before marching elsewhere but an exact time for this is not known.

The Advertiser has decided to not publish any of the rumoured locations for the potential demonstration.

Staff at Swindon Crown Court have also been informed of this possibility.

The briefing to councillors continues: “The police are ready to respond should such a protest take place and have increased their presence in areas where people are understandably most anxious. 

“They have provided reassurance to the Council that they are ready to respond should the situation escalate.”

It added that police were meeting with faith leaders on Wednesday to provide further reassurance, and the council leader and deputy leader had also written to community and faith groups to offer their full support.

It ends: “I’d appreciate your support in trying to ensure that this does not escalate unnecessarily. 

"Please encourage your residents to stay away from any protest and leave the police to do what is a difficult job. 

“I sincerely hope, as I’m sure you all do, that all the speculation leads to nothing but the police and other agencies, including the council, are ready to respond if necessary.”

Meanwhile, there are some signs of the police preparing for something to happen, as the Swindon Central South Neighbourhood Policing Team has cancelled a planned engagement session in Broadgreen due to ‘operational commitments.’

The Adver understands that other public organisations have been asked by police to plan for staff who ‘may be targeted’ to get home safely.

Across the country, many of the individuals involved in previous instances of disorder are starting to get arrested and charged, with prison sentences already being handed out. 

This comes as the prime minister Sir Kier Starmer warned those taking part that they will be rapidly processed through the courts and should expect ‘substantive sentencing’

So far Swindon’s courts have not had to deal with any cases as the town has not seen any of the disorder present elsewhere.

There was an anti-fascist demonstration in the town centre on Saturday, August 3, but other than a few tense words exchanged, with a rival group, there was no trouble or criminality.

Wiltshire Police, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue and Swindon Borough Council have been approached for further comment.

The country-wide disruptions were sparked by the killing of three girls in Southport last week, with false posts on the identity and nationality of the attacker soon spreading on social media.