Bolton Council of Mosques (BCOM) appealed for unity amid a report of a potential protest on Chorley New Road.

It comes as the police prepare for the possibility of dozens of potential protests all across the country on Wednesday.

Yesterday (August 6), BCOM appealed for unity in a post on social media attributed to Asif Patel, the chairman of the council, which works with thousands of Muslims across more than 20 Mosques.

Mr Patel said he was in touch with the Chief Superintendent for GMP Bolton, Stephanie Parker, about a report of a potential protest on Chorley New Road as well as Deane Road and Derby Street.

The Bolton News saw a police presence on the main road in the area of Queens Park during the day on Wednesday.

Mr Patel said: "[Chief Superintendent Parker] confirmed there may be a protest on Chorley New Road, Bolton, [on Wednesday] and GMP have resources in place to deal with any potential protest.

"There is no information or intelligence of a protest on Deane Road or Derby Street. We advise everyone to be vigilant."

On Sunday (August 4), there was violence in the town centre amid similar scenes all across the country since the killing of three girls in a knife attack in Southport, Merseyside, at the start of last week.

Across Greater Manchester, more than 20 people have been arrested, some of whom have been brought before the courts since the start of this week for a range of offences including offences in Bolton.

Previously Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, a former chief of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: "Those involved will feel the full force of the law. Over 400 people have been arrested, 100 people have been charged – some in relation to online activity – and a number of them are already in court.

"I am expecting substantive sentencing before the end of this week."

Anyone with information can contact police on 101 or the LiveChat on gmp.police.uk.

They can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.