Police have hit out over 'speculation and ill-informed comments on social media' after violence flared at an election campaign event in Oldham organised by Tommy Robinson.

Police cars were smashed by flying objects and bricks and eggs were thrown.

Hundreds of people gathered as the far right founder of the English Defence League arrived in the Limeside area of the town on Saturday night.

There was an organised 'counter demonstration' by a group calling itself the Muslim Defence League.

Tensions flared on residential roads around Seventh Avenue.

Videos have been posted online.

In an update today, police said the 'small few' could expect to be 'investigated by us and brought in for questioning'.

(Image: Joel Goodman)

But GMP said continued online speculation was 'proving unhelpful'.

No arrests are believed to have been made so far.

In an update on Sunday Chief Superintendent Neil Evans, Oldham's police commander, said police officers would continue to patrol the area.

(Image: Joel Goodman)

He said: "Today, I know people are still feeling the effects of the disturbance that happened yesterday evening and there’s a lot of speculation and ill-informed comments on social media.

"When any type of event escalates in this way, it's extremely frightening and upsetting for people in the local area and for the majority who act in a respectable manner.

(Image: Joel Goodman) (Image: Joel Goodman)

"For the small few who ruin this for everyone else, let me be clear. You can expect to be identified, investigated by us and brought in for questioning.

"Everyone should be able to exercise their right to free speech but when people hide behind this to hurl objects and abuse and act in such a disgusting way, there simply is no excuse.

(Image: Joel Goodman) (Image: Joel Goodman)

"Since last night, we've been working alongside our partners and people in the community and will continue to do so over the coming days. I understand that people will still have concerns around this and while our investigation continues, officers will be patrolling the area so feel free to approach them with any concerns you may have.

"Speculation around what happened is proving unhelpful but if you do have footage or images that could help our investigation, please send them directly to us.

(Image: Joel Goodman) (Image: Joel Goodman)

"No-one deserves this sort of thing to be happening in their hometown and I'm determined to - with the support of our partners and you, the people of Oldham - bring those responsible to justice."

Last night, in the immediate aftermath, Chief Supt Evans said police believed 'many of those involved were not from Oldham'.

Scores of police officers, armed with shields and batons, attempted to separate both sides during the incident.

(Image: Joel Goodman)

An eyewitness, who didn't want to be named, said: "I saw bricks being thrown into the crowds. There were police with shields and batons, and the Tactical Aid Unit were there.

(Image: Joel Goodman) (Image: Joel Goodman)

"There were several dozen police. At the start there were eggs being thrown, but then people turned to bricks."

The EDL founder is campaigning to become an MEP in the European Elections.

(Image: Joel Goodman) (Image: Joel Goodman)

Earlier this month, a member of the public was filmed throwing a milkshake at him during a previous visit to Warrington.

A spokesperson for GMP confirmed damage was caused to two police cars.

Oldham MP Jim McMahon said: "We don't need people coming to our town trying to divide us for their own political agenda.

"We need to come together to be the best Oldham we can be."

There were no reported injuries.