Swindon battened down the hatches yesterday with shops shutting early and companies asking staff to work at home for fear of a far right protest taking place.

However, despite warnings from the police and Swindon Borough Council about the possibility, it turned out to be a no-show.

Online speculation that a demonstration was due to take place on Wednesday afternoon sparked concerns the town would see violent and destructive scenes that have played out elsewhere in the country in the last week. 

The riots have resulted in cars burnt, windows smashed and officers attacked in the streets, with dozens injured and more than 400 people arrested.

The disturbances were sparked after a three young girls were killed in Southport. Inaccurate speculation on the identity and nationality of the alleged killer, spurred on by influencers, Sparked anti-immigration demonstrations, which soon turned violent in places.

Wiltshire Police was made aware of the apparent planned event in Swindon and released a statement reassuring members of the public that the force was ready to step in if necessary.

“We will not hesitate to take robust action against a small minority who are intent on being involved in criminal activity,” said Chief Superintendent Phil Staynings.

Meanwhile, businesses, hotels and doctors surgeries across town closed their doors in preparation for the afternoon disorder, with many sending staff home and rescheduling afternoon appointments ‘for safety’.

The Swindon Advertiser was made aware of 15 businesses that had already locked their doors by 3pm, with many more such as The Glue Pot pub cancelling evening events and preparing to close by 6pm.

Nationwide companies such as Pandora, Iceland, H. Samuel, Ernest Jones and Natwest were all among those who took the decision to close their Swindon branches.

A kids club warned parents they need to pick up their children early and the chief executive of Swindon Borough Council warned their staff of potential disruption, as did Swindon's courts.

But despite the disorder that was set to kick off at the County Ground at 3pm, the only crowds outside Swindon’s stadium were parents waiting to collect their children from football, with a few police officers in the area.

One resident who took a walk down Regent Street just after 3pm said: “It’s like a ghost town. There are rows of shops all with their shutters down and people look a little lost.

“It’s all very quiet.”

Wiltshire Police has assured the public that while they’re prepared for anything, no tension or disruption has yet been seen in Swindon or in the wider county.