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A woman has been arrested and charged with a hate crime amid disorder in Greenock, which took place in the wake of a knife attack in Belfast.

The 32-year-old is due to appear at Greenock Sheriff Court on Friday.

Police Scotland earlier said two men had been arrested and issued with fixed-penalty notices for anti-social behaviour offences amid the unrest in the Inverclyde town on Wednesday night.

The force said three officers sustained minor injuries after items were thrown at them and two police vehicles were damaged.

Police condemned the violence and said inquiries are ongoing.

Inverclyde provost Drew McKenzie said violent behaviour has “no place” in the local community.

“Police officers being attacked and police vehicles being damaged is not an acceptable situation here in Inverclyde,” he said at the start of a full council meeting on Thursday.

“Undoubtedly, a zero-tolerance approach must be undertaken. We must as a council acknowledge that people do have genuine concerns with regards to immigration, but those concerns must be addressed through the proper channels.

“I’m sure [councillors] will agree with me that this kind of behaviour has no place here in Inverclyde, particularly as so many from all backgrounds have worked and are working so hard to develop an integrated and safe community for us all to live.”

Anti-immigration demonstrations have been held in several locations across Scotland this week following Monday’s stabbing in north Belfast.

The protest in Greenock is understood to have taken place outside the Holiday Inn Express hotel, which has been used to house asylum seekers.

Police Scotland Chief Superintendent Rhona Fraser said on Thursday: “Our priority is public safety and we had an appropriate policing plan in place for last night’s demonstration.

“We understand the concerns people have about their communities and will always balance the right to freedom of expression with the need to tackle crime without fear or favour.

“Officers were attacked and police vehicles were damaged. I strongly condemn that violence and there is no place for it in Scotland.”

Police Scotland said officers continue to be in local areas and are engaged with communities to show support and listen to concerns.

Sudanese man Hadi Alodid, 30, appeared in court on Wednesday charged over the Belfast attack, in which the 44-year-old victim, Stephen Ogilvie, is said to have lost an eye.