Just 200 people attended anti-immigration protests branded as “Operation Shutdown” in Northern Ireland on Thursday evening, an Irish News analysis has found.

Organised by a number of unnamed individuals behind a series of social media pages in the weeks leading up to the event, a sustained effort was made in order to drum up support for the protests.

Organisers had called on those from a number of areas across the north to block roads in effort to “take our country back” and highlight the consequences of “mass migration”.

One group representing migrants advised its members to avoid a long list of locations across the north where it was believed protests were going to take place, while the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust issued advice to pregnant mothers who may have been fearful of attending hospital due to the protests.

A small number of buses had to be diverted as a result of the protests but widespread disruption was not caused.

The Irish News estimates around 200 people took part in the 15 protests, many of whom were watching from footpaths and not obstructing traffic.

From images and video footage posted from the scenes of the protests, the largest attendances were on the Newtownards Road in east Belfast and in Carrickfergus, where between 40 and 50 people were present.

In other areas, such as Cookstown, Coleraine and the Shore Road, reports suggest the numbers in attendance were in single figures.

In some areas, it is not clear whether planned protests took place at all despite being widely advertised on social media.

PSNI officers attended a number of the planned protests and said “minor traffic disruption” was reported while the force was reviewing evidence to examine whether any offences were committed.

“Police attended planned protests across a number of areas on Thursday evening, 18th September,” a PSNI statement said.

“A number of officers were deployed to these protests, including specially trained evidence gatherers.

“There was some minor traffic disruption at various locations in Belfast, Newtownabbey and Carrick and all protests passed off without incident.

Chief Superintendent Sue Steen said: “Police will review all available evidence to establish whether any further offences have been committed. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the public for their patience during this period”.

SDLP leader Claire Hanna said despite the low turnout at the protests, increasing numbers of “far right” protests should be taken seriously.

“The rise of the far-right in Northern Ireland and around the world is deeply concerning and must be taken seriously, not dismissed,” Ms Hanna said.

“It’s welcome that Thursday evening’s protests passed off peacefully and without significant incident.

“My heart goes out to members of our immigrant and minority ethnic communities who were left fearful ahead of last night’s and other protests who have this hatred hanging over their lives.

“When hospitals feel the need to issue warnings to patients about potential disruption, it should be a wakeup call about getting a handle on this.”