An elite division of police officers will be assembled to monitor social media for signs of growing anti-migrant sentiment amid fears of fresh riots this summer.
Detectives are set to be drawn from forces around the country as the Government scrambles to crack down on potential violence by flagging up early signs of civil unrest.
It comes amid warnings Britain could face another summer of disorder just 12 months after a wave of riots sparked scenes of chaos following the Southport murders.
The new police division, assembled by the Home Office, will aim to 'maximise social media intelligence' after police forces were heavily criticised for their handling of last year's riots which quickly spread across the country.
There have already been a string of demonstrations outside The Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, after an asylum seeker was charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl by allegedly attempting to kiss her.
