CUMBRIA'S police and crime commissioner has blasted the riots seen in some UK towns and cities and declared 'there is no place for hatred' in the county.

David Allen criticised the 'dreadful scenes of violent disorder' that have led to hundreds of arrests across the country.

And he warned people in Cumbria they will be prosecuted if they break the law online or in person after arrests in the north of the county.

Protesters are due to stage a 'unity rally' in Barrow town centre today (Saturday) to stand against the disorder seen since the deaths of three girls in Southport.

Mr Allen, a former police officer, said: "We have seen some dreadful scenes of violent disorder taking place up and down the country in the last week.

"These disgusting scenes have been based on a false narrative arising out of a dreadful event where an individual killed three little girls and injured a number of others.

"I must make it clear here - the Southport incident was not carried out by an immigrant, nor was it based on religion.

"To be honest, the disorder and violence seen across the country absolutely sickened me, it was carried out by mobs, it is not protest, it is criminal disorder and mindless violence."

Speaking about Cumbria, he said: "We are the playground of the country. We welcome almost 50 million visitors each year to our county.

"These visitors come from all over the world and are from every imaginable background, race, religion and skin colour (not that that matters at all). They are still welcome here and I want to make that very clear.

"Cumbria is an incredibly safe county, a great place to live and bring up your family, it remains so.

"The emergency services, police, fire, ambulance and our great NHS, will continue to work tirelessly to keep us safe and to protect us from harm.

"Our communities do not want, or deserve, to see the appalling scenes of violence we have witnessed in other towns and cities. 

"I would also remind those that may wish to get involved in violence (real or online), don't - you will be found, you will be arrested and you will face the full force of the law."

Crimes can be reported to police on 101.