UK riots latest: Man who punched officer in face jailed - as 6,000 police mobilised before far-right protests tonight

North west and north east expected to be worst hit tonight as picture 'fast-moving'

Martin Brunt, our crime correspondent, has been talking to police sources and says the picture is "fast-moving".

Police across England and Wales are now aware of more than 100 far-right events, he says, but "none of the organisers have had any contact with the police".

Protest organisers are often encouraged to let the police know before their demonstrations.

Consequently, "police are working off largely what they have seen online", says Brunt.

Police can't be sure every event they're aware of will happen but "believe that most are credible". 

On a recent night when police became aware of 47 planned events, "more or less all of them took place", he says. 

More than 2,000 riot police will be deployed tonight, with police sources saying the north west and the north east of England will be the worst affected.

There are also 30 counter protests expected to take place.

Should I go out or stay in? Are my children safe? Who can I trust?

These are all questions being asked in communities around the country.

There are many thousands of people who don't feel they can live their lives as normal, with fear of violence forcing changes to plans. Daily routines are being assessed for risk.

For many people who are not white, Britain feels more hostile. Promises by police of extra security for places like mosques are met with fear that it still won't be enough.

Some communities are beginning to take protection of their streets into their own hands. That in turn leads to increased fear of violent confrontations.

There are more questions too. When will this end? And how long will it take to rebuild cohesion that was already fragile in many of the communities affected?

Police now aware of over 100 planned events tonight

Police sources have told Sky News they're aware of more than 100 events and 30 counter protests planned this evening.

Out of the 43 police forces in England and Wales, 41 are expecting events.

More than 6,000 specialist police officers have been mobilised ahead of expected violence and disorder tonight.

In more than a week of riots since the killings of three girls in Southport last month, 423 people have been arrested.

Sentencing of three rioters only 'tip of the iceberg', says prosecutor

The three prison sentences handed down moments ago to three men who joined in riots over the past week are only the "tip of the iceberg", according to crown prosecutor Jonathan Egan.

"Drummond, Riley and Geiran's actions would have caused panic, revulsion and chaos in their local communities," he said in a statement after the sentencing.

"The three men sentenced today are the tip of the iceberg, and just the start of what will be a very painful process for many who foolishly chose to involve themselves in violent unrest. 

"Many of those involved will be sent to prison for a long time."

Third rioter jailed for 20 months

Liam Riley, from Kirkdale, has been sentenced to 20 months in prison.

Riley, 41, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and a racially aggravated public order offence over rioting in Liverpool city centre on Saturday night.

He was part of a crowd of around 100 people who were throwing rocks and bricks, and had smashed a shop window.

Riley was "clearly drunk" when arrested and abusive towards the arresting officer, who he called a "traitor" and a "Muslim lover". 

The judge says it's "very sad indeed" that Riley finds himself in this position as a man of previous good character with only cautions to his name.

Liverpool man who torched police van sentenced to two and a half years

Declan Geiran, 29, from Liverpool, has been sentenced to two and a half years in prison for his part in riots in Liverpool city centre.

He was caught on CCTV using an implement to set a police van on fire and was found with three lighters when arrested.

Geiran pleaded guilty to violent disorder and arson over rioting in Liverpool city centre.

Derek Drummond has been sentenced to three years in prison for violent disorder and assault of an emergency worker in Southport.

The 58-year-old, of Pool Street, Liverpool, did not react as he was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court by Judge Andrew Menary KC.

Mr Menary said Drummond was part of a group involved in "deeply racist chants" about the Muslim community and "aggressive chants" at police officers.

He accepted that Drummond is deeply remorseful but said the CCTV footage of his behaviour on the night shows a "much darker and different side".

The judge said he can't be sure if Drummond was an "instigator", but that he was on the "frontline".

Rioter 'lost his job' as another 'doesn't know what far left or far right means'

More now from Liverpool Crown Court as we hear mitigation for 58-year-old Derek Drummond, who pleaded guilty to violent disorder and assault of an emergency worker.

Barrister Lionel Greig says that, in his own words, Drummond, who has lost his job after handing himself into police, said: "I'm absolutely ashamed of the way I have behaved. 

"I have let Southport down, I have let the kids down, I have let my family down."

In mitigation for Declan Geiran, who set fire to a police van, Brendan Carville, says he is "not a clever man" and has mental health issues. 

"He doesn't understand what far left or far right means" and "simply went with the flow".

-SKY NEWS