Extra police were on the streets yesterday as protests were due to take place at the site of a planned South Cumbrian Islamic centre.
Work is underway at the South Lakes Islamic Centre on Ulverston Road in Dalton-in-Furness.
Protestors were planning to be at the construction site yesterday, Saturday August 16.
Cumbria police said officers worked with the organisers to ensure that the protests are peaceful and cause minimal disruption to the local community.
To keep the risk of crime or disorder to a minimum, a dispersal order was in effect between 10am and 6pm.
The order provides officers an enhanced ability to direct individuals who are causing or likely to cause harassment, alarm, or distress to leave the area and not return for a defined period.
Neighbourhood policing officers were also in the area to provide reassurance and support to the local community.
Superintendent Paddy O’Hara, of Cumbria police, said: “The dispersal order which has been authorised is in place to protect our communities.
“The rights for protest must be balanced with the rights of others, keeping the public safe, preventing crime and disorder, and seeking to minimise disruption.
“Public safety is our number one priority, and our officers are here to provide help, advice and reassurance.
“We ask that individuals involved in today’s protests act responsibly and refrain from engaging in crime and disorder.”
The area covered by the order wa:
