A Merseyside force spokesman confirmed the total number of arrests, saying: “At around 6.30pm, officers were facilitating a peaceful protest and counter-protest at the Suites Hotel on Ribblers Lane in Knowsley.

Protesters threw lit fireworks at police officers outside the Knowsley hotel and offenders also attacked a Matrix police van, with videos obtained by the ECHO showing people smashing it with hammers before torching it.

The Chief Constable stated that “misinformation” about an incident earlier this week was spreading on social media. 

CC Kennedy said police were aware of the incident and an investigation is underway. She added: “Detectives are investigating reports of an incident which occurred in Kirkby on Monday, February 6, when a man made inappropriate advances toward a teenage girl.

“This was reported by members of the public to police, but no victim was initially identified. Following enquiries, a man in his 20s, was arrested on Thursday, February 9, in another part of the country on suspicion of a public order offence. A file was submitted to the CPS and on their advice he was released with no further action.

“I want to make it absolutely clear that this is very much an ongoing investigation, and we would urge anyone who witnessed this incident, or who has any information, which could help us bring the offender to justice, to come forward.”

Sunder Katwala, director of think tank British Future, said: “The violent disorder in Knowsley realises fears that asylum dispersal is becoming a flashpoint for extremist agitation. Defusing the risks requires both more dialogue with local communities and much more scrutiny of extreme groups operating both online and on the ground to stir up trouble.

“Both Twitter and Facebook are hosting groups and people who go well beyond political protest to celebrating the violence and encouraging intimidation. Twitter should rethink its decision to bring back Patriotic Alternative, who are using the platform to incite unruly protest.

Labour MP Sir George Howarth said the violent scenes did not reflect the community.