POLICE have confirmed they will be "visible in communities across West Yorkshire" this weekend - amid heightened tensions nationally.

West Yorkshire Police commented as the secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) said hundreds of mosques across the country will be strengthening their security and protective measures this weekend.

The MCB said it fears some areas - including Leeds, Hull, Liverpool, Glasgow, Lancaster, Blackburn, Newcastle, Birmingham, Sunderland, Dover and Middlesborough - could be targeted.

Meanwhile, South Yorkshire Police said it was aware of a planned protest in Rotherham this weekend.

The knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport on Monday which left three girls dead has sparked violent disorder in some parts of England.

Zara Mohammed, the secretary-general of the Muslim Council of Britain, said: "There is really deep-seated anxiety among Muslim communities, particularly for this weekend.

"Yesterday we hosted a mosque security community briefing and we had representation from hundreds of mosques across the country and there was palpable fear.

"We had mosques saying that they'd had threats on the phone about targeted attacks… we had a lot of anxiety around security and having enough protection."

Asked about how mosques are preparing, she said: "So it's around protective measures: ensuring that the doors and windows are secure, carrying out a risk assessment, making sure CCTV cameras are working, and having some paid security staff on site."

Ms Mohammed stressed the need for Muslim communities to have a "direct relationship" with local police forces during the disorder.

Assistant Chief Constable Osman Khan, of West Yorkshire Police, told the Telegraph & Argus: "We are of course aware of recent disorder across the country and continue to monitor relevant intelligence relating to the possibility of further incidents.

"We are experienced and well-prepared in terms of planning for, and managing incidents such as these should they occur.

"Uniformed officers will be visible in communities across West Yorkshire over this coming weekend to reassure residents, manage planned events, and carry out day to day policing."

South Yorkshire Police said it was "aware of a planned protest in Rotherham this weekend" and that there may be "an increased police presence across the county".

A spokesperson for the force said: "We are engaging with our communities across all areas of the force, and are continuing to monitor any local concerns.

"People may see an increased police presence across the county as we carry out this work."