Counter protesters have begun marching through central London as they make their way towards Whitehall.

They were seen carrying signs that read ‘No to Tommy Robinson, no to fascism’, ‘Smash fascism and racism’ and ‘Oppose Islamaphobia, defend the right to protest’.

The counter protest run by Stand Up To Racism with the support of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and 11 other trade unions, Stop the War Coalition, Peace & Justice Project and Unite Against Fascism set off from Russell Square at 1.30pm.

Before the march began protesters heard speeches from trade union officials and former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

Chief Superintendent Colin Wingrove, who is in charge of this weekend’s operation, warned that police will ‘intervene decisively’ to deal with protesters who break the strict conditions about when and where they are allowed to demonstrate.

He said: ‘Our first priority is to keep the peace to ensure that those exercising their right to lawful protest can do so safely.

‘We have proactively used our powers under the Public Order Act to manage the timings and routes of marches and assemblies, ensuring that the groups are kept apart.

‘Officers will intervene decisively to deal with any breaches of those conditions, prevent crime, and to respond to any other incidents.

‘Everyone has a right to feel safe and be safe in London.

‘Those who abuse the right to protest in an effort to unlawfully intimidate others or to use hate speech can expect to face police action.

‘The police presence will be very visible and I would urge anyone out and about in London, whether participating in these events or not, to speak to an officer if they feel unsafe or wish to report an incident.’

Actor-turned-political activist Laurence Fox has been pictured at the Tommy Robinson rally in Trafalgar Sqaure along with thousands of other protesters.

Mr Fox has often attended protests organised by Mr Robinson including one in June earlier this year wher he gave a speech outside Parliament Square.

For those of you wanting to avoid getting stuck in any large crowds, the below maps will show you where the Tommy Robinson rally and counter demonstrators are going to be marching.

The Tommy Robinson rally set off from The Strand earlier today before moving into Trafalgar Square where many protesters still remain.

Meanwhile, the counter-protest will see attendees gather in Russell Square before marching down Kingsway to Victoria, and then along Embankment before massing in Whitehall, less than 400 metres from the Tommy Robinson rally.

The Met Police have closed roads in central London to accommodate the protests, with the areas on the below map – shaded in purple, blue and green – set to be particularly affected today

The Metropolitan Police have flooded central London with 1,000 police officers to keep the peaceamid the protests this afternoon.

The force says the vast majority of its officers on-duty today will be tasked with keeping the groups, some of whom have diametrically opposed views, apart from each other.

Police have warned that despite leaflets suggesting the counter-protest march will finish in Trafalgar Square, this is not the case and the rally must end in Whitehall instead.

Read the full story below:

There is a lot going on in the capital this afternoon with three separate protests all taking place on the same day and within two miles of each other.

Thousands of people have gathered in central London for a march led by right-wing activist Tommy Robinson – whose real name is Stephen Yaxley Lennon.

His protest moved from the Royal Courts of Justice to a rally in Trafalgar Square at around 12.45pm, with pictures showing huge crowds of people amassed arpind the famous landmark.

A counter-protest by Stand Up To Racism and former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s Peace & Justice Project is set to march from Russell Square and to a rally in Whitehall.

It is supported by the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and 11 trade unions, as well as groups such as Stop the War Coalition, Peace & Justice Project and Unite Against Fascism.

A Trans Pride event, which includes a march from Langham Place to Wellington Arch where speeches will take place, is also being held on Saturday.

No conditions have been imposed in advance of the Trans Pride event, the police said.

Good afternoon and welcome to our live blog.

We will be providing updates throughout the day as thousands of people have descended on London to take part in a Tommy Robinson rally.

A large counter-demonstration by Stand Up To Racism is also set to take place in the capital, as well as a Trans Pride march all in the space of two miles.