Muslim demonstrators and right wing protesters clashed with riot police near a mosque in Harrow, northwest London.
Rocks were thrown at officers and there were a number of skirmishes in an area between the Harrow Central Mosque, and Harrow and Wealdstone tube station.
The trouble began when around 1,600 anti-fascists turned up at the site - where a new five-floor mosque is under construction.
The Stop Islamification Of Europe group had received permission from police to hold a two-hour protest there.
The Unite Against Fascism group also organised a demonstration in response to show solidarity for the mosque.
Some then clashed with the Metropolitan Police after trying to chase off around a dozen SIOE supporters.
There was further trouble when a group of around 250 Asian youths, throwing rocks and sticks and pushing a wheelie bin, later tried to charge officers.
A total of nine arrests where made for possession of offensive weapons. A tenth arrest was made to prevent a breach of the peace but the man was released soon afterwards.
Sky News Online's Dan Ashby, who was filming at the scene, said: "Around 250 teenagers charged at police several times through the evening.
"They threw flares and rocks - one of which smashed the window of a police van.
"They tried to use a wheelie bin as a battering ram, but enough of the protestors stopped them before they could hit the police line."
Superintendent Julia Pendry, said: "Officers came under attack from bricks and bottles and we had to deploy our staff in protective equipment a number of times.
"Police had to take fast time action to stop events from getting even worse, by intervening to prevent an imminent breach of the peace. We had to act to stop things from escalating.
"What played out on the streets of Harrow today is completely unacceptable to everyone."
By mid-evening numbers outside the mosque had dwindled to about 100, as counter-protesters, many of whose faces were covered by scarves, drifted away.
Davis Ashton, Leader of Harrow Council, said: "We are saddened and dismayed that groups from outside the borough have come here and caused unrest.
"Harrow has an excellent record in community relations and we condemn those who have come here from elsewhere to either foist extremist opinions on us or use Islam as a cover for causing trouble."
On Saturday a similar protest - organised by the English Defence League (EDL) - descended into violence as bottles and bricks were hurled on the streets of Birmingham, while 12 police officers were also injured following a far-right rally in Hamburg, Germany.
Anti-fascists and EDL supporters clashed in Birmingham city centre as a heavily-policed protest spilled over into the main shopping area.
West Midlands Police made ninety arrests and detectives predict more will follow as officers trawl CCTV footage of the violence
skynews
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