Violent clashes broke out at a march by the Democratic Football Lads Alliance in central London on Saturday.

Dozens of DFLA supporters started fighting with baton-wielding police officers after trying to push past an escort while walking from Park Lane to Whitehall.

One was heard screaming “I’ll kill you” at a police officer as hundreds of mainly middle-aged male supporters walked from Park Lane to Whitehall. Some of them started to break free from police horse escorts on Pall Mall, with many chanting "Whose streets? Our streets".

Scores of police officers on horseback and others wearing riot gear tried to control the most hostile marchers, with dozens of police vans used to block the crowd from breaking the agreed route.

Vans and riot officers had to separate DFLA marchers from anti-fascist counter-demonstrators, many of them masked, who shouted: “Nazi scum off our streets”.

At Trafalgar Square the DFLA supporters traded vicious insults with counter-demonstrators as riot police sought to keep them apart, bringing traffic around the famous landmark to a standstill.

The Metropolitan Police said it had made only one arrest so far.

Democratic Football Lads' Alliance march – in pictures Show all 11 1 /11 Democratic Football Lads' Alliance march – in pictures Democratic Football Lads' Alliance march – in pictures Police stop a breakaway from the main Football Lads alliance march, as they attempt to get close to a rival anti-facist demonstration AP Democratic Football Lads' Alliance march – in pictures Mounted police horses react to a flare going off during an anti-fascist demonstration AP Democratic Football Lads' Alliance march – in pictures Anti-fascist's demonstrators protest against a rival march by the Football Lads Alliance AP Democratic Football Lads' Alliance march – in pictures Protesters clash with police during the Democratic Football Lads Alliance march PA Democratic Football Lads' Alliance march – in pictures A police officer is dismounted as he helps stop a breakaway from the main Football Lads Alliance march AP Democratic Football Lads' Alliance march – in pictures A man holds a floral depiction of Swansea football club's badge AP Democratic Football Lads' Alliance march – in pictures Police line up Rex Features Democratic Football Lads' Alliance march – in pictures The Democratic Football lads Alliance march from Park Lane to Whitehall to protest against migrant crimes and the establishment and media silence Rex Features Democratic Football Lads' Alliance march – in pictures Protesters clash with police during the Democratic Football Lads Alliance march PA Democratic Football Lads' Alliance march – in pictures The DFLA claim to oppose all forms of terrorism and extremism and stand up against grooming gangs up and down the country Rex Features Democratic Football Lads' Alliance march – in pictures Mandatory Credit: Photo by Penelope Barritt/REX (9930517o) The Democratic Football lads Alliance march from Park Lane to Whitehall to protest against migrant crimes and the establishment and media silence. The DFLA claim to oppose all forms of terrorism and extremism and stand up against grooming gangs up and down the country. At the same time a Unity demonstration is taking place to oppose the DFLA demonstration. Democratic Football Lads Alliance march, London, UK - 13 Oct 2018 Penelope Barritt/REX Rex Features

March organisers had said on Facebook they were protesting against “returning jihadists”, “thousands of awol migrants” and “rape gangs and groomers”.

One demonstrator Peter Mantell, 53, from Crayford, said: “I detest some of the people I'm walking with. A lot of them hate people because of the colour of their skin.

“I'm a lefty. But I believe we should have a voice against the people who want to hurt everyone and cause harm.”

He added that he was a supporter of former English Defence League (EDL) leader Tommy Robinson.

Many members of the DFLA crowd appeared extremely angry with police, screaming at them for perceived inaction against “paedos and grooming gangs”.

The march concluded in Whitehall where a truck was used as a makeshift stage for speeches, but the small gathering lost momentum around 4pm.

One on-stage organiser claimed they were “set up” by police and anti-fascist protesters had blocked their walk.

At a separate rally held by counter-protesters, a message was read out from the Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and the shadow home secretary Diane Abbott.

“Congratulations on today’s demonstration standing up against racism and far-right extremism,” they stated.

“We’re proud to walk in the traditions of anti-racism campaigners and activists. Your fight is our fight.”