Advice if news about the riots has worried you

Video caption, Child psychologist Dr Jai Shree Adhyaru shares her advice on what to do if you're upset by the news on the riots

You might have seen pictures of riots and disorder taking place in towns and cities in England and Northern Ireland during the last week.

Some children and young people have been left feeling a bit anxious or upset about what's been happening,

Dr Jai Shree Adhyaru is a child psychologist and she helps children through difficult times.

Newsround spoke to her to get some advice on what children can do if they are upset by the news about the riots.

鈥淚t鈥檚 really important to let it out, and think about who you can approach to talk to about how you鈥檙e feeling right now,鈥 Dr Jai said.

鈥淚 think it鈥檚 perfectly understandable that children are worried, and perhaps a little bit scared or frightened. There are lots of adults that are also worried about what鈥檚 going on," she explained.

Lots being done to support children and communities

Image source, Dr Jai

Image caption, Dr Jai says its important for you to "feel however you鈥檙e feeling about this" and to "to talk to a trusted adult"

She said: 鈥淚t鈥檚 perfectly reasonable to feel however you鈥檙e feeling about this, and it can be helpful to talk to a trusted adult, somebody that would listen. It could be a parent, a carer, or another adult in the community, somebody from your local sports centre or youth club.鈥

"The good news is, there鈥檚 lots that can be done, and that is being done to support children and communities," she added.

鈥淔irstly the government has asked for more police officers to be on the streets, and in particular areas where riots are likely to happen.

"So that鈥檚 really positive because it means that the police are there to make sure that people are safe."

Check in on family and friends

Image caption, Dr Jai says you can speak to friends or family if you're worried about what's been going on

鈥淵ou might also be worried about other people in your life, maybe friends or family.

"It鈥檚 okay to reach out them and just check how they鈥檙e doing. That might make you feel better as well,鈥 Dr Jai said.

Why have there been riots?

Image caption, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has promised to punish people responsible for the riots

The riots and disorder have mostly been organised by far-right groups who have extreme views - often linked to immigration, race and national identity - and were encouraged by misinformation spread online following an incident that took place in Southport.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer promised to keep communities affected by the riots safe during an important meeting with government ministers and members of law enforcement.

He said people taking part in the anti-immigration riots would "feel the full force of the law".

Since then, more than 400 people have been arrested for causing damage to public places and injuring police officers.

Video caption, There have been riots and protests across the UK recently - we look at what's happened
Image caption, Lots of people volunteered to help clean up communities affected by the riots

Thousands of people have also turned out to take part in anti-racisim protests to show support for refugees, migrants and their local community.

They held up signs with messages saying 鈥渞efugees are welcome here鈥 and chanted 鈥渞acists go home鈥.

People have also been helping to rebuild public spaces, homes and religious buildings like mosques, which were damaged during the anti-immigration riots.

Image caption, Dr Jai says volunteering and doing things in your community can be really good for your mental health

鈥淪eeing people from different background, different ages, different colours and different walks of life, coming together, is exactly what being in this country is all about.

"We also know that volunteering and doing things in your community is really good for your mental health,鈥 said Dr Jai.