Watch the moment Stand Up to Racism protesters swarm GB News North West Reporter Sophie Reaper as she tries to report from Altrincham.
The People’s Channel star was on the ground in the Greater Manchester market town to report from both sides of the demonstrations that have erupted over hotels being used to house asylum seekers.
After speaking to several anti-migrant hotel protesters, Sophie crossed the divide to find out what Stand Up to Racism protesters had to say.
Scenes of chaos ensued with demonstrators telling her to “go away” and “go back to your side”.
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|'I've just been assaulted', said Sophie
Another held their Stand Up to Racism placard in front of the GB News camera in an attempt to disrupt live coverage of the demonstration.
Tensions came to a head when Sophie appeared to be struck by a placard, forcing her security guard to jump in.
“I’ve just been hit by a placard on the head by one of these counter protesters”, she said.
“We are just trying to give them the opportunity to have their side. Police are now having to jump in.
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|Sophie's arrival sparked chaos
“We have just been assaulted by one of these counter protesters. We’re just going to step out because things have got rather dicey.”
Police were also forced to jump in as they desperately sought to defuse the situation.
Protests are expected across the country this weekend with Metropolitan Police units mobilising in anticipation of disorder.
Protests come in the wake of asylum seekers being transported to a London hotel during the early morning of 2 August.
Nationwide demonstrations are set to unfold this weekend at various facilities housing migrants, with activist organisation Stand Up to Racism coordinating rallies alongside separate gatherings by those who oppose converting hotels into asylum accommodation.
The competing protests reflect deepening divisions over refugee housing policies across the UK.
Law enforcement agencies throughout the country are implementing heightened security measures as both supporting and opposing factions prepare to converge on multiple locations.
The simultaneous demonstrations raise concerns about potential confrontations between rival groups at accommodation sites, prompting police forces to coordinate their response strategies for what could become a volatile weekend of activism.