
Police have been forced to use pepper spray and arrest seven people after anti-racism and anti-Islam protesters violently clashed at rival rallies in Melbourne.

More than 300 people, some draped in the Australian flag and most with their faces covered with some wearing Guy Fawkes mask, had to be separated by up to 500 riot police on Bell Street in Coburg on Saturday morning.

Protesters from the True Blue Crew and the United Patriots Front are marching for the Stop the Far Left protest which is held at the same time as the No To Racism rally.

Scroll down for video

Police were forced to use capsicum spray during a rally involving anti-racism and anti-Islam protesters in Melbourne on Saturday morning

Desperate to calm down the crowd riot police were seen using the capsicum spray on numerous occasions

One protester was brought down to his knees as the spray hit him directly in the face

Officers were eventually able to settle down the demonstrator in order to restrain him

Police detain a man as the clashes between the rival protesters turned violent in Coburg

A riot officer stands on guard ready to aim his capsicum spray at demonstrators who continue to cause havoc as photographers pose ready to take photos while wearing goggles

A man is pictured sitting down on the side of the road attempting to relieve his pain with water after being capsicum sprayed

Members from the far-left Anti Fascist Action group gathered to join the No To Racism rally and concealed their identities by covering their faces

The two groups that planned the rival rallies at Bridges Reserve on Saturday morning tried to break police lines once they were separated.

There are reports some protesters were bashed with flag poles despite there being mounted police attempting to control the crowd,' reported the Herald Sun.

UPF leader Blair Cottrell threatened rivals by saying 'force and terror' will be used before telling supporters the anti-racism demonstrators were 'smashed.'

Demonstrators for the No To Racism rally, which included members from the Anti Fascist Action, gathered to protest the forced closure of Aboriginal communities, off-shore detention centres and Islamophobia

A demonstrator wearing the Australia flag to cover his face also attempted to escape from the riot squad as they used capsicum spray

Members of the Anti Fascist Action group were protesting the forced closure of Aboriginal communities, off-shore detention centres and Islamophobia

There are reports some protesters have been bashed with the Australian flag as the rally heated up

Police were forced to make arrests as protesters turned violent throwing punches and crates at rivals

One man aids another protester while wearing gloves in a bid to avoid touching the OC spray covering the man's face

Seven arrests were made as the clashes occurred, two were charged with possessing prohibited weapons

Commander Sharon Cowden has since condemned the clashes calling the violence and inappropriate behaviour 'cowardly,' after authorities were forced to make a number of arrests for riotous behaviour, police assault and carrying prohibited weapons.

'We saw inappropriate and often cowardly behaviour with people wearing masks and hiding their identity.'

'People hide their identity and I believe it makes them more violent when they are on the streets,' she said.

'What happened today is not on and we will be looking at the footage, finding out what else we can do, to track these people down and bring them to justice.

'There was clashes on both sides so I condemn the behaviour of both sides but mostly it's the extremes.

'You get the extremes and they are often very cowardly and they will come along and they are looking for a fight and that's what we saw today.

Commander Sharon Cowden has since condemned the clashes calling the violence and inappropriate behaviour 'cowardly'

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull urged demonstrators to respect each other as well as stating Australia is 'the most successful multicultural society in the world'

Police are expected to continue looking at footage in hopes of bringing certain protesters to justice

Commander Sharon Cowden praised the efforts of police in maintaining the crowd and ensuring no one was seriously injured

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull also said 'we are the most successful multicultural society in the world' before calling on protesters to respect each other.

'We are united, we have so much in common, and we are stronger and more prosperous as a nation because of that diversity,' he said.

'My message today and every day, as your Prime Minister, is that mutual respect, respect for each other, giving the respect to others that we ask them and expect them to give to us, that is the key to our success.'

Greens Leader Richard Di Natale blamed the riots on the 'toxic debate' off asylum seekers in Australia.

'We need both the Labor Party and particularly this Government to rein in the comments it is making,' he said.

'It's contributing to ugly race politics, the consequences of it are the ugly scenes we have seen in Melbourne today.'

Senior police and weapons checkpoints have been present since early morning at the protest costing tax payers approximately $1.7 million.

Police are expected to continue their investigations by examining footage in hopes of bringing certain revellers to justice.

Greens Leader Richard Di Natale blamed the riots on the 'toxic debate' off asylum seekers in Australia

The riot police stood between the opposing demonstrators in an attempt to stop a clash from occurring but protesters tried to break the police lines

Roads were closed, mounted police were present and weapons checkpoints were organised for the protests

Tax payers have been forced to pay approximately $1.7 million for resources used to manage the protests

Members from ANTIFA wore Guy Fawkes mask and held signs saying 'there is no authority but yourself' and 'Muslims are welcome, racists are not'

An old woman attempts to continue her daily routine as she walks past a group of protesters