“Whilst I wholeheartedly oppose the far-right thuggery and criminality we have seen in towns and cities across the country, the last thing the police need right now is the diversion and additional work that policing rallies and counter protests this weekend will involve.

It was distressing to see doctors surgeries, shops and pubs closing in advance of the anticipated protests on Wednesday and for that reason and many others I am pleased that those who wrought chaos on our streets are already facing the full force of the law.

I have been grateful to receive so many messages of opposition to the riots and the conduct we saw on our streets last weekend, and I know there are many people who want to express that they hold different values. Right now, however, we need a period of calm, to leave the police free to tackle any future criminal disorder.

It is also right that those who incited violence in the wake of the appalling Southport murders are being brought to justice.

There is no connection between legitimate concerns about immigration and those who seek to burn down hotels, loot shops and attack people, police or places of worship. Nor should we allow the far-right to claim that this violent disorder speaks for everyone who raises concerns about migration. Furthermore, it is not true that those condemning the violent thugs are also by implication criticising anyone who raises any concerns about immigration.

Chesterfield is a town that has provided support for refugees from Ukraine, Syria, Afghanistan and elsewhere in the past and the vast majority of people here reject any attempt to demonise the vulnerable.

So, whilst I won’t be attending the rally planned in Chesterfield on Saturday, I can assure everyone that I remain focused on building trust and uniting our community, standing against violence and racism in all its forms and supporting the police as they carry out their difficult work, which we should all be grateful for.”