Andy Burnham said he was "struggling to comprehend" the "despicable" violence which erupted in Newton Heath on Wednesday in the wake of the mass stabbings in Southport.

Some 40 people, including children and young men wearing balaclavas, gathered to protest outside a hotel in the north Manchester suburb, which is near Failsworth, at roughly 6pm.

The demonstration turned violent as they spilled into Oldham Road and pelted police with bottles.

On Thursday morning, Greater Manchester mayor Mr Burnham appeared on BBC Radio Manchester to call for calm in the wake of the violence — believing the city-region is facing "a dangerous moment".

“I am struggling to comprehend what happened last night (Wednesday, July 31),” he told the In The Hotseat phone-in.

“There’s a situation where people are rushing to judgement without the facts. No one knows the full story.

“It’s a despicable criminal act. I think we are in a dangerous moment. People need to step back.

“Greater Manchester is better than this… a random gathering attacking police and people with nothing to do with the situation [in Southport].”

In a statement, Greater Manchester Police said: “Due to the early intervention from our officers this criminal behaviour thankfully didn’t cause any serious injury or damage. Two men aged 18 and 25 were later arrested for violent disorder and assault of an emergency worker and remain in custody at this time for questioning.”

Burnham’s comments come as Prime Minister Keir Starmer meets with police chiefs later today to offer them the government’s "full backing".

He is expected to reinforce the need to deal with criminals who "exploit the right to protest to sow hatred and carry out violent acts", and to work with police forces across the UK to "stop mindless violence" erupting on streets.