A police office building has been attacked and the property next to it set alight during clashes between rioters and police in Sunderland.

Three injured officers were taken to hospital and eight people arrested, Northumbria Police said.

Beer cans and stones were thrown at police officers in riot gear outside a mosque and at least one car was set alight during the disorder on Friday night.

Unrest has broken out in towns and cities across England following the killing of three young girls in Southport on Monday.

Northumbria Police Ch Supt Helena Barron said officers had been met with "serious and sustained" levels of violence, which was "utterly deplorable".

She said a full investigation was underway to identify those responsible for any criminal behaviour.

"I want to make it absolutely clear that the disorder, violence and damage which has occurred will not be tolerated," Ch Supt Barron added.

Of the three injured police officers, one has been discharged and two remain in hospital for further treatment, she said.

Some members of the crowd could be heard shouting Islamophobic slurs and chanting in support of far-right activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon - who uses the alias Tommy Robinson.

Mr Yaxley-Lennon's X account has promoted false claims that the alleged Southport attacker had been an asylum seeker who recently arrived in the UK by boat.

Mounted police were deployed to Sunderland's city centre to push back demonstrators, some of whom were in masks.

Officers also had beer barrels thrown at them, as young men shouted: "Whose streets? Our streets".

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said criminals attacking the police would "pay the price for their violence and thuggery".