Malaysia has become the first country to warn citizens against travel to Britain as violence spurred by the far right continues across the country.

Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued the warning late on Sunday, saying it was “closely monitoring the series of protests currently taking place in several areas of the United Kingdom, following the stabbing incident in Southport on July 29”.

Malaysians were urged to register their presence with the country’s High Commission in London.

“Malaysians residing in or travelling to the United Kingdom are urged to stay away from protest areas, remain vigilant and follow the latest updates and guidance provided by local authorities,” the ministry said.

Australians travelling to Britain are also urged to “exercise a great deal of caution”, although the warning mostly relates to the ongoing threat of a terror attack.

“Avoid areas where protests are occurring due to the potential for disruption and violence. Monitor the media for information and updates. Follow the instructions of local authorities,” the Smartraveller website noted on Monday.

It came as the British government convened a high-level emergency meeting in Downing Street on Monday after more than 150 people were arrested following a weekend of violence in British towns and cities.

At least 10 police officers were injured, including one left unconscious, after rioters tried to storm the Holiday Inn Express hotel in Rotherham in northern England on Sunday.

Anti-immigration demonstrators threw planks of wood at officers and sprayed them with fire extinguishers.

Hotel employees and residents, some of whom are asylum seekers, were terrified, but no injuries were reported, police said.

The unrest was sparked after last week’s stabbing rampage at a Taylor Swift-inspired dance class that left three girls dead and several wounded.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the attack on the hotel, describing it as “far-right thuggery” – as the violence was repeated in other towns and cities.

“To those who feel targeted because of the colour of your skin or your faith, I know how frightening this must be,” he said in an address to Britons.

“I want you to know that this violent mob do not represent our country, and we will bring them to justice.”

Starmer vowed to do “whatever it takes to bring these thugs to justice”.

That includes Monday’s Cobra meeting, which will bring together ministers, civil servants, the police and intelligence officers.

“People in this country have a right to be safe, and yet we’ve seen Muslim communities targeted, attacks on mosques,” Starmer said.

“Other minority communities singled out, Nazi salutes in the street, attacks on the police, wanton violence alongside racist rhetoric, so no, I won’t shy away from calling it what it is: Far-right thuggery.”

Britain’s Home Office has offered greater protection for mosques, including new “emergency security” that can be rapidly deployed to respond to the violent disorder.

Further demonstrations are expected across the country, with many counter-demonstrators also set to make their presence felt.

On Saturday, far-right activists faced off with anti-racism protesters in many towns and cities. There were violent scenes from Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland, to Liverpool in the north-west of England and Bristol in the west.

Further arrests are likely as police scour CCTV, social media and body-worn camera footage.

In just one incident on Saturday, Merseyside Police said about 300 people were involved in violent disorder in Liverpool, in which a local library was set on fire.

The Spellow Lane Library Hub, which opened last year to provide support for one of the country’s most deprived communities, suffered severe damage.

Liverpool’s Spellow Lane library torched last night. What could be more ‘patriotic’ than destroying a centre which serves the local community? pic.twitter.com/QNPRv9UWcC

— Carl Hendrick (@C_Hendrick) August 4, 2024

The violence erupted earlier this week, ostensibly in protest of last week’s stabbing attack in Southport.

A 17-year-old male, Axel Rudakubana, has been arrested and charged with three counts of murder and 10 of attempted murder.

Anger was fuelled among far-right supporters after rumours spread online that Rudakubana was a Muslim and an immigrant.

Suspects under 18 are usually not named in the UK.

A judge ordered the identification of Rudakubana, who was born in Wales to Rwandan parents, partly to stop the spread of misinformation.

-with AAP