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Protesters and supporters of Donald Trump have been involved in violent confrontations with each other in the US state of California, leading to some 20 arrests.

Dozens of protesters were mostly peaceful during Thursday’s speech in Orange County, but later the demonstration grew rowdy and spilled on to the streets.

About 20 people were arrested by police, according to a tweet from the Sheriff Department of Orange County.

One Trump supporter had his face bloodied in a scuffle as he tried to drive out of the arena. One man jumped on a police car, leaving its front and rear windows smashed and the top dented in, and other protesters sprayed graffiti on a police car and the Pacific Amphitheatre’s marquee.

Dozens of cars, including those of Trump supporters trying to leave, were stuck in the street as several hundred demonstrators blocked the road, waved Mexican flags and posed for selfies.

Police in riot gear and on horseback pushed the crowd back and away from the venue. There were no major injuries and police did not use any force. The crowd began dispersing about three hours after the speech ended.

Earlier in the evening, a half-dozen anti-Trump protesters taunted those waiting to get into the venue. Trump supporters surrounded one man who waved a Mexican flag and shouted “Build that wall! Build that wall!” – a reference to Trump’s call to create a barrier between the US and Mexico to stop illegal border crossings.

At one point, seven shirtless women wearing Bernie Sanders stickers over their breasts entered the square outside the amphitheatre.

They said they were protesting against Trump’s lack of engagement on issues of gender equality and women’s rights.

Trump has drawn large crowds across the country as he has campaigned for the White House and some of his events have been marred by protests and scuffles. – AFP