Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, has condemned the Southport protests, which are believed to be linked to the fatal stabbings on Monday that left three young children dead.

Last night, three officers were taken to hospital, and a police station was set on fire as rioting broke out in Sunderland. More riots are expected to take place this weekend.

In a statement, Archbishop Welby said: “This weekend, I join the urgent appeals for calm. I’m praying particularly for the victims and bereaved families in Southport – they must be allowed and supported to grieve, not subjected to further pain and distress by violence that does nothing to aid their healing or their pursuit of justice.

"Violence and hatred targeted at minority communities is never justified and is always abhorrent. It is completely unacceptable that Muslim and asylum-seeker communities are feeling so unsafe, and I encourage people to reach out and support them.

He continued: “I also want to thank churches and other faith groups around the country who are doing such vital work to care for their communities and bring people together.

"As Christians, we remember Christ’s command to love our neighbour – that is especially vital at this time, and across the Church of England, we will continue to do so.”

Other Christian leaders have called for peace and condemned plans for a series of far-right ‘anti-immigrant’ and Islamic protests across the UK, as it emerged that a counter-rally will also be held in Belfast.

Social media messages circulated in recent days have called for protests to be held across the North on Saturday, with venues including Belfast, Newtownabbey, Carrickfergus, Larne, Bangor, and North Down.

Catholic Bishop Alan McGuckian, of the Down and Connor diocese, told Irish News that “standing in solidarity and seeking an honest dialogue with our sisters and brothers from different cultures and religions is the only authentic Christian way forward.”