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A far-right group calling themselves the North West Infidels switched plans to hold a demonstration in Manchester before gathering outside the Crown Pub in Liverpool city centre at around 1pm. Anti-fascism demonstrators surrounded the pub while a line of Merseyside Police separated the two groups. Missiles were thrown between the two groups with reports of fireworks and bricks being thrown as police contained members of the North West Infidels. Express.co.uk understands 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.

CATERS Police separated protesters and anti-fascism campaigners in Liverpool city centre

We will be in Liverpool to exercise our democratic rights to freedom of expression, speech, movement and assembly North West Infidels

Riot police, police dogs and mounted police were also called to the scene to keep apart the Infidels and anti-fascism campaigners. A Merseyside Police spokesman said: "Merseyside Police would like to make it clear that while it will facilitate peaceful protest it will not tolerate disorder, criminal or anti-social behaviour during any demonstration. "Officers will monitor the situation as the safety of the public is our main priority and will work to minimise disruption to residents and businesses. "Our officers will take robust action against anyone found to have committed an offence, in order to ensure the safety of the public."

CATERS Police scrambled to St Georges Hall

CATERS The North West Infidels staged a demonstration

A Merseyside Police spokesman said: "Merseyside Police would like to make it clear that while it will facilitate peaceful protest it will not tolerate disorder, criminal or anti-social behaviour during any demonstration. "Officers will monitor the situation as the safety of the public is our main priority and will work to minimise disruption to residents and businesses. "Our officers will take robust action against anyone found to have committed an offence, in order to ensure the safety of the public." The group's Facebook page revealed plans to demonstrate in the neighbouring city were a red herring. A post said: "The truth is, we never intended to protest in Manchester on the 27 February. In true North West Infidel fashion we have thrown our adversaries a red herring. "We will be in Liverpool tomorrow to exercise our democratic rights to freedom of expression, speech, movement and assembly. "We know people will be there to try and shut us down, they usually are, but we are not there for them."

CATERS The protest was initially held outside The Crown pub

CATERS Police will escort protestors on trains out of Liverpool

They managed to escape the pub which led to clashes on the steps of St George's Hall between the two groups and police officers trying to maintain order. Video footage captured by Alan Weston on Twitter showed police trying to move the North West Infidels away from St George's Hall. Counter-demonstrations took place throughout the afternoon as riot police were called to the scene. Protestors were seen throwing glass bottles and carrying out far right salutes. Nazi swastikas were also scrawled across the 200-year-old St George's Hall in Lime Street. British Transport Police and officers from Merseyside and Greater Manchester will be on trains leaving Liverpool tonight to escort protestors away from the city.

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

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

Andrea Wall, 40, was caught in the crossfire and joined the anti-fascism demonstration. Mrs Wall said: "They had come armed with things to throw. I got hit in the throat with a gas cylinder and the man I was standing next to was hit in the face. "Blood sprayed everywhere and he needed stitches. "The situation wasn't helped by police moving them to St George's Hall, it meant they were boxed in and led to a few clashes as they kept trying to get across the police line. "People don't want them in this city and we don't want them in the North West. People out doing their shopping stopped to join us to say we don't want these fascists in Liverpool." Police moved the North West Infidels to Liverpool Lime Street train station shortly before 5.30pm.

Far Right North West Infidels in #Liverpool..if they're SO proud of what they do, why do some cover their faces?? pic.twitter.com/GfyoqyrJGC — Claire Hannah (@Claire_journo) February 27, 2016