LONDON: In an unfortunate situation, riots have swept Britain over recent days, and more outbreaks of anti-immigrant violence are feared this week, leaving the new UK government scrambling to control the worst disorder in more than a decade.
According to CNN report, police officers were injured in Plymouth on Monday night as angry crowds descended on the coastal city in southwest England.
The latest outbreak of violence came after crowds of far-right agitators set fire to hotels housing asylum seekers over the weekend in two cities, leaving those inside trapped and terrified, while throngs of rioters in other cities damaged public buildings and clashed with police, throwing objects at officers and smashing their vehicles.
Protests first broke out late last month, after an anti-immigrant misinformation campaign stoked outrage over a stabbing attack that left three children dead in Southport, northern England.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer chaired his first COBRA session on Monday morning – an emergency meeting of national agencies and branches of government – to discuss the response to the disorder. “This is not protest,” he said on Sunday, adding: “It is organized, violent thuggery and it has no place on our streets, or online.”
The riots are the first crisis for Starmer, who became Britain’s leader a month ago after his Labour Party unseated the Conservatives in a general election. His next steps will be closely watched by lawmakers and the public.
Meanwhile, police in Rotherham reported that demonstrators broke windows, flung wooden planks, attacked policemen with fire extinguishers and set fire to other objects in an attempt to enter the premises.
In reaction to recent attacks, the UK Home Office declared on Sunday that mosques would receive “greater protection with new emergency security” in the country. Under the new arrangements, “the police, local authorities and mosques can ask for rapid security to be deployed, protecting communities and allowing for a return to worship as quickly as possible,” the Home Office said, according to CNN.
Starmer shared a post on X and wrote, “I utterly condemn the far-right thuggery we have seen this weekend. Be in no doubt: those who have participated in this violence will face the full force of the law.”
In his video message on X, he issued a stern warning to those involved in the recent violence and riots and emphasized that the full force of the law would be brought to bear on individuals who participated in the violence, whether directly or indirectly.
“Be in no doubt, those who have participated in this violence will face the full force of the law. The police will be making arrests, individuals will be held on remand, charges will follow and convictions will follow. I guarantee you will regret taking part in this disorder, whether directly or those whipping up this action online and then running away themselves,” said the UK PM.
“This is not a protest. It is organised violent thuggery. And it has no place on our streets or online. Right now, there are attacks happening on a hotel in Rotherham. Marauding gangs intent on law-breaking. Or worse, windows smashed. Fire set ablaze,” he added.
Situation in Birmingham
Large gathering in Birmingham but no clashes with members of opposing groups. A large number of people did gather in Bordesley on Monday) but there were no clashes with members of opposing groups.
“We were aware of rumours which circulated on social media with regards to a potential far-right protest taking place in Birmingham on Monday. We can confirm this did not take place’ police have said.
A large number of people did gather in Bordesley tonight (Monday) but there were no clashes with members of opposing groups. No arrests have been made at this stage but there were sporadic incidents and we are investigating reports of an assault, incidents of criminal damage to a pub on Stoney Lane, a car which had its windows smashed on Alcombe Grove, Stechford and further criminal damage to a vehicle which had its tyres damaged on Belchers Lane, Bordesley Green.
“We are also investigating reports of a man who was in possession of an offensive weapon. We are investigating all incidents reported and we will work hard to identify and arrest those responsible”.
Chief Superintendent Richard North, commander at Birmingham LPA said: “Fortunately rumours of the significant protest activity in the city didn’t materialise. There were several sporadic incidents of criminality during the evening and we will work hard to arrest those responsible.
“We want to reassure you that anyone participating in any criminality on our streets will be dealt with robustly. You will continue to see an increased police presence on our streets over the coming days to offer reassurance to our communities.”
Situation in Manchester
Greater Manchester Police ran a dedicated policing operation over the course of this weekend, 3-4 August 2024, strategically working with partners and protest organisers to facilitate peaceful and lawful protests.
Officers made five arrests on Saturday and a further fourteen arrests on Sunday in relation to offences for being drunk and disorderly, possession of a weapon, assault, criminal damage, and violent disorder.
A dedicated team of officers are currently working to bring charges against those arrested and investigators are carrying out work to identify further offenders who will become subject of police action:
Seven people were charged with possession of a weapon: Ajaz Ahmed (43), Daniel Robinson (37), Matthew Edge (34), Hamza Mohammed (23), Keenan Sanders (20), and two 16-year-olds. Gareth Rigby (43) was charged with assault.
Stephen Watson, Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police said: “I want to thank the vast majority of law-abiding citizens of Greater Manchester who either stayed away from events over the weekend, or who took part by sharing their views in a way that did not break the law, but which upheld our democratic right to peaceful protest. However, it was clear that across all events, there were people of all political and cultural backgrounds who attended with the intent of causing trouble and breaking the law.
“There are consequences for inciting hate and causing damage, and those who have broken the law will be held accountable for their actions. Where arrests have been made, charges have been quickly sought and some offenders have already appeared before the courts and we expect to make further arrests. We have gathered extensive video evidence, collected testimonies, and our intelligence teams are working vigorously with support from the full force to identify further criminal behaviour and locate those responsible. Justice will be forthwith.
“I am proud of all the efforts of our officers and staff made to bring these events to a largely peaceful conclusion and from preventing illegal acts to bring about harm to those who want to live in harmony. We will continue our policing effort to help ensure this remains the case.
“I am also thankful to those scores of staff who took part in their planning and management of events: as well as those who continued to answer the phone and respond to calls for help.
“Our policing response will continue with great fortitude; we are resilient and will maintain a highly visible presence across Greater Manchester. We are committed to protecting our communities and our scale and security will be one of reassurance and prevention, as speciality trained officers are positioned to minimise potential for disruption and equipped to respond quickly and intervene early.
“As we engage with members of our communities, we are reminded of our privilege to be in a place that actively enables voices to be heard. We are acting robustly to protect the integrity of this right, and using all legal powers at our disposal to ensure people feel safe and are safe.”
Tragedy in Southport
A 17-year-old boy Axel Rudakubana has been charged with the murders of three girls at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club in Southport. Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, were fatally stabbed on Monday when a knifeman entered the dance class on Hart Street in Southport, Merseyside.
The judge Andrew Menary KC lifted the reporting restrictions during a hearing
at Liverpool Crown Court. He will reappear in the court on October 25 this year.Eight other children suffered knife wounds – with five of them in a critical condition – while two adults were also critically hurt.
Violent disorder has broken out across the country following the attack, with more than 100 people arrested at a protest in Whitehall on Wednesday night.
Speaking at a press conference just after midnight on Thursday, Chief Constable of Merseyside Police Serena Kennedy said: “A 17-year old-boy from Banks has been charged with the murders of Bebe, Elsie Dot and Alice, 10 counts of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article following the tragic incident in Southport on Monday July 29. The boy, who was born in Cardiff to Rwandan parents, is from the village of Banks, just outside Southport.