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Liverpool city centre erupted into violence today as a far-right group calling itself the North West Infidels clashed with anti-fascist protesters outside St George’s Hall .

Although police tried to keep the two groups apart, they were heavily outnumbered and on at least two occasions a number of the “Infidels” group broke through the cordon and fought with anti-fascists.

A number of smoke bombs were hurled by members of the far right group, leading to loud bangs resounding around St George’s plateau.

Missiles - including bottles and cobblestones - were also thrown at the Infidels group, who threw them back into the crowd.

It led to a number of innocent people being struck by objects as they flew through the air, including a police officer who suffered concussion.

The day’s dramatic events began shortly after 1pm today, when a small group from the North West Infidels gathered at the Crown Hotel outside Lime Street station.

In pictures: North West Infidels gather in Liverpool

A number of police vans also arrived at the scene and officers stood around the pub to stop the two groups meeting.

But as the far-right group began to make its way past Lime Street station in the direction of St George’s Hall under police escort, scuffles were already starting to break out, along with missiles being thrown.

The “Infidels” group then joined more members who had already assembled at the top of the steps outside the hall.

To begin with, around 30 to 40 of the Infidels group were gathered at the top of the steps, where they unfurled a number of banners. Nearly all of them wore black clothing and were masked, with a number wearing fleece jackets with a “Hooligans Poland” motif on the back.

But as more anti-fascist campaigners arrived and smoke bombs and fireworks began to be let off, the atmosphere became more tense and police reinforcements arrived.

Watch: Police continue trying to move out the North West Infidels

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ECHO photographer James Maloney was hit in the chest by a firework thrown by one of the demonstrators, but was not injured.

The whole of Lime Street along the length of St George’s plateau was closed to traffic as the two groups became locked in a stand-off.

The air was filled with chants of “Nazi scum” as the Infidels were kettled in an ever narrower space at the top of the steps by police with riot shields and with dogs.

But on two occasions, members of the far-right group were able to break through the cordon, leading to a surge forward by the anti-fascist protestors and fights breaking out before the police could regain control.

Finally, after a tense stand-off lasting nearly three hours, police managed to escort the far-right group back in the direction of Lime Street station. Nearby streets were cordoned off by riot vans and police with riot shields to separate the North West Infidels from anti-fascist protestors.

The scene at St George’s plateau was filled with the evidence of the missiles hurled between the two groups, including both plastic and glass bottles, cartons of milk, eggs and flour.

Swastikas had also been daubed by members of the far-right group on the outside of St George’s Hall. Police said a number of people were arrested after the protests, while an officer was taken to hospital with concussion after being hit by a missile. He was later discharged and is now recovering at home.

The day’s events were a culmination of the cat-and-mouse game played by the North West Infidels. Originally, they had said they would be holding today’s rally in Manchester - where they have met on two previous occasions - before suddenly switching the venue to Liverpool.

The North West Infidels were also trying to avoid a repeat of the farcical scenes which took place last August, when another far-right group called National Action barricaded itself into the left luggage section of Lime Street station when met by protestors.

In Pictures: Liverpool demos

Tom Ascaso, spokesperson for the Anti-Fascist Network (AFN), said afterwards: “Once again the people of Liverpool have shown there is no place for fascism in their great city.

“Today was a massive defeat for any hopes of a far-right street movement in Britain. After the humiliation received at the hands of Liverpudlians in August last year neo-Nazis spent months organising, building a coalition of racist groups, EDL splinters and far-right Polish football hooligans.

“For their return they mobilised nearly everybody the far-right can put out onto the streets. Anti-fascists only had 24 hours notice of their intention to march but still ensured the far-right protest was a total disaster. Fascists were prevented from marching in Liverpool again, showing collective direct action is still one of the best ways of restricting the growth of fascism.”

A Merseyside Police spokesman said: “A policing plan was put in place to facilitate a demonstration in the city centre.

“A number of counter protest groups turned out as a result of the planned demonstration and officers acted quickly to separate the groups.

Watch: People break through cordon

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“During incidents around the area of Lime Street and St George’s Plateau missiles were thrown and there were some scuffles among protestors.

“As a result a number of arrests were made.”

Assistant Chief Constable Nikki Holland said: “The safety of members of the public is our main priority. While we will facilitate a peaceful protest we will not tolerate disorder or criminal or anti-social behaviour.

“Our officers acted quickly to deal with the situation, separate groups of protestors and contain them in a single area to try to minimise the disruption caused to members of the public and local businesses.

“During the incident one of our officers was hit with a missile and was taken to hospital suffering from concussion. He has now been released from hospital to recover at home but I want to make it clear that we will not tolerate this kind of behaviour against our officers and will take all the necessary steps to find the person or persons responsible.

“Together with our colleagues at the British Transport Police and Greater Manchester Police the majority of protestors have now been escorted onto trains at Liverpool Lime Street and out of the city.

“I would like to thank members of the public and businesses in the city centre for their patience as this matter was dealt with.”