BRITAIN FIRST’s thugs scuttled around the West Midlands on Saturday heading for a conference, closely followed by anti-fascist protesters.

Despite issuing instructions to establish secret destinations and gathering points, the far-right group were followed every step of the way by anti-racists from Stand Up to Racism (SUTR) and Unite Against Fascism (UAF).

At one point at least one supporter of Britain First raised his arm in a nazi salute, which protesters caught on video.

The fascists ended up at a meeting room normally used for weddings and similar functions next to Trinity Church at Hinckley in Warwickshire.

One of the anti-fascist campaigners tracking the group said: “First we headed for Nuneaton station which was a redirection point for them. There was a mini-bus pick-up there for them as well.

“There were about 60 of them. We were in smaller groups. Police were already at the station when we got there at 11am.

“A couple of the fascists were sticking their fingers up at us. They got a bit camera-shy when we started taking photos. They are basically nazis and fascists.”

The conference was grandly entitled Rebirth of Nationalism, with an agenda billing “international speakers” and “media presentations.”

SUTR co-convener Weyman Bennett told the Star: “Britain First is an actual nazi group. They have invaded religious places such as mosques to threaten and intimidate people.

“In fact, their leaders have been jailed for attempting to terrorise in particular Muslim communities.

“Wherever fascists raise their heads we have to resist and organise and oppose and break up their organisations. Socialists, trade unionists, anti-racists, Muslim and Jewish communities have to unite to destroy these organisations.”

In September, Britain First mounted “beach patrols” near Dover to intercept any immigrants they spotted trying to cross the Channel from Calais.

The rag-tag group also used a drone to search for incoming boats until its use was banned by police.

Other provocative tactics by the extremists have included invading mosques and verbally abusing Muslims.

In June 2016, far-right terrorist Thomas Mair shouted “Britain First” as he repeatedly shot and stabbed Labour MP Jo Cox on the streets of her Batley & Spen constituency in West Yorkshire.