Six people were arrested and several police officers were injured during violent protests in Plymouth city centre, police have said.

Two groups of protesters clashed on Royal Parade and outside the Guildhall on Monday evening in the latest of a series of incidents across the UK following the killing of three girls in Southport, Merseyside, on 29 July.

Devon and Cornwall Police said people intent on committing public order or criminal offences were dealt with “robustly” with six arrests made.

The force said some officers sustained minor injuries, while two members of the public were taken to hospital to be treated for injuries.

A police statement said: “Violence will not be tolerated, hate will not be tolerated, and we will continue to work with our partners to keep the people of Devon, Cornwall, and the Isles of Scilly safe and reduce anti-social behaviour.”

The force issued an appeal for witnesses, including anyone who has video or photographs, following the protests.

The force added its “approach to this operation was to enable peaceful protests, but people who were intent on committing public order or criminal offences, have and will be dealt with robustly”.

Clashes broke out between the groups, which consisted of anti-immigration protesters on one side of Royal Parade, which separates the city from the Hoe and waterfront, and a counter demonstration on the other.

A police van was also damaged during the protests.

Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez said officers were called in from neighbouring forces including Avon and Somerset, Wiltshire and Dorset to help.

She said bricks and fireworks were thrown at police but there were no serious injuries.

“The violence we saw last night is completely unacceptable,” she said.

“I would like to pay tribute to the frontline officers who put the public’s wellbeing ahead of their own in order to gain control of the situation, and in doing so were hurt in the line of duty.”

Jemima Laing, Plymouth City Council’s deputy leader, said the authority would start assessing any damage caused and repairs required on Tuesday morning.

Ms Laing said: “I remain incredibly angry on behalf of Plymouth that so many people from outside our city felt emboldened to come here and cause disruption and unrest.

“Thuggery on tour is not acceptable.”

Plymouth Citybus said it was unable to serve routes along Royal Parade until 06:45 BST on Tuesday.

The bus firm said on X: “Please be patient as things take a little time to return to normal operation.”

In a second tweet, Citybus thanked passengers for their patience and urged people to “be kind” to each other.

Several businesses in and around the Royal Parade area, including the Theatre Royal Plymouth, which cancelled its scheduled performance of The Devil Wears Prada musical, closed early on Monday ahead of the protests.

Lisa Bennett, owner of the Mega Shakes milkshake shop in Raleigh Street, said she decided to close early on safety grounds as some of her delivery drivers were “scared” to come to work.

“You really don’t believe incidents like this would even happen in the country full stop, let alone in Devon,” she said.

“You kind of feel like you’re in a little wonderful bubble down this end of the country and what we saw yesterday was crazy.”

The Right Reverend James Grier, the Bishop of Plymouth, said it was time for people to help bring calm back in the city.

“There are consequences and justice needs to be done and actions need to be taken,” he said.

“But that’s not down to us, the normal people, our job is to speak peace and love and community rather than propagate aggression and violence.”