CATERS Student Abbie James was hit with a concrete block during the violent demonstration

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Police arrested 33 men, despite initially saying they had arrested 34 men, after bricks and fireworks were thrown at officers in violent scenes as protesters and anti-fascism campaigners clashed in Liverpool. The city centre was brought to a standstill on Saturday as police struggled to contain the groups. The far-right group known as the North West Infidels switch plans to hold a demonstration in Manchester but instead descended on Liverpool "to exercise our democratic rights to freedom of expression, speech, movement and assembly."

As counter-protesters gathered outside the Crown Pub when riot police were called in and separated the groups. Missiles were thrown with reports of fireworks and bricks being thrown as police contained members of the North West Infidels. Abbie James, 21, from Huddersfield, West Yorks, was left with a deep wound to her head after being hit by the concrete block thrown by protesters. The stricken student was carried to safety by boyfriend Chris Hall, 22, as protesters cheered while blood poured from her head.

I was terrified as I could see blood everywhere Abbie James

Helpless bystander Ms James underwent surgery to fix the damage to her head on Sunday and faces being scarred for life. Ms James said: "When I was struck I was actually just about to leave as the riot was really scaring me, my vision went blurry and I just remember falling to the floor and being surrounded by a swarm of people. "I didn't pass about but felt I was close to as I couldn't move or talk much. I was terrified as I could see blood everywhere and had no idea what had happened. "I have no idea what hit me but people think it may have been a piece of the cobbled road as they were digging it up to throw.

CATERS Abbie James, 21 with boyfriend Chris Hall, 22, has been scarred for life

"I think I was the first person to get hit and didn't assume my injury was too bad until I saw everybody's reactions, I then saw myself in the police car mirror and realised. "When I saw how deep the cut was in hospital I understood the awful reactions I was getting from the public." Ms James, who studies textile design at the University of Huddersfield, was on the way into the town centre from fellow student Mr Hall's home in Kensington when the pair stopped to watch the disturbance. While observing from the sidelines, Ms James was struck and Mr Hall carried her away to get medical attention. She was then driven to hospital in a police car to undergo treatment.

CATERS Riot police were called as violent scenes erupted in Liverpool city centre

CATERS Members of the North West Infidels gathered at The Crown pub in Liverpool

She said: "I have been told I'll have a large scar going through the centre of my forehead for life which isn't good, I'm just so thankful it wasn't anywhere else on my face as at least it can be hidden and hasn't caused blindness or loss of teeth or anything. "I'm so angry about the protestors, both sides were wrong to get violent as they've caused so many unnecessary injuries. "I was just an innocent bystander who was simply wondering what was going on as I had no clue until I was home. "It's scarred my for life, both mentally and physically. I'm not sure I'll be able to be in large crowds for a long time, and it's all due to behaviour that simply wasn't needed. "I honestly just want peace and I can't believe there are humans out there who think it's totally okay to cheer as I was carried away with a face full of blood. "So many people were in the wrong, I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time."

CATERS Riot police and police dogs separated the two groups outside St George's Hall

CATERS Police arrested 34 men following the demonstration

A local photographer escaped injury after he was hit in the chest by a firework and a police officer was taken to hospital after being hit with a brick with bystanders were also attacked with gas canisters and glass bottles. Merseyside Police confirmed 34 men were arrested, including a 60-year-old man from Darwen, Lancs on suspicion of assaulting a police constable and a 39-year-old man from Sunderland on suspicion of obstructing a police officer and breach of the peace. A 33-year-old man from South Shields was arrested on suspicion of a section four public order offence and a group of 30 men, aged 18 to 43, from across the UK including London, Edinburgh and Dorset were arrested on suspicion of offences including violent disorder and possession of offensive weapons. A number of weapons were left at the scene.

St George's Hall defaced by the Nazis with swastikas #antifa #Liverpool pic.twitter.com/5krJ3vaAmx — Cllr Andrea Wall (@CllrAndreaWall) February 27, 2016

The arrest of the 60-year-old man on suspicion of assaulting a police constable was not in relation to the officer taken to hospital with concussion after being hit by a missile. On Sunday night, Merseyside Police confirmed the 33 men were released on bail, pending further enquiries. Police dogs and mounted officers were also called as the protest moved to St George's Hall. Nazi swastikas were scrawled on the 200-year-old building with reports of Nazi salutes being carried out and glass bottles thrown as the Infidels and anti-fascism campaigners continued to clash. British Transport Police and officers from Merseyside and Greater Manchester escorted protestors on trains leaving the city.

Latest estimates are North West Infidels had approx 30 there, while anti-facists had more than 500. #Liverpool pic.twitter.com/VN0gKdaQX5 — RadioCity News/Sport (@RadioCityNews) February 27, 2016