LONDON: British authorities are bracing for potential further unrest, even as they praised anti-racism activists and police for largely preventing a wave of far-right protests overnight.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged vigilance following a week of anti-immigrant violence that affected communities from Northern Ireland to the English south coast. Speaking at a mosque in Solihull, Starmer stressed the importance of maintaining efforts to counter extremism.
In a Thursday evening meeting with law enforcement, Starmer highlighted the need for police to stay “high alert” and commended their strategic deployment and prompt legal actions for keeping disturbances at bay. Although far-right groups had planned to target over 100 sites, including immigration service offices, their protests did not materialize as anticipated.
Instead, large numbers of counter-protesters filled the streets, rallying under slogans like “Refugees Welcome” and “Whose streets? Our streets,” to protect asylum service centers and immigration offices.
The government declared a national critical incident and had 6,000 specially trained officers on standby. While most protests and counter-protests were peaceful, a few arrests were made.
London’s Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Mark Rowley, praised the combined police and community response for averting major violence. However, tensions remain high due to misinformation about a stabbing suspect in Southport, which exacerbated the unrest. The last of the injured children from the July 29 attack has been discharged from the hospital.
Nearly 500 arrests have been made nationwide following clashes between anti-immigrant mobs and police. Among those arrested was a man in his 50s suspected of inciting violence. Labour councilor Ricky Jones was suspended for allegedly encouraging violence against far-right protesters.
The government has vowed to prosecute those inciting disorder, including online provocateurs. To deter future unrest, Liverpool Crown Court allowed TV cameras to broadcast the sentencing of two rioters to 32 months in prison.
Northern Ireland’s legislative assembly addressed the violence, with Minister for Justice Naomi Long condemning the racist and xenophobic nature of the attacks. She emphasized the need to confront these issues directly.
Additionally, the government is exploring sanctions beyond prison time, such as banning rioters from attending soccer matches. Home Office minister Diana Johnson indicated that all options are being considered to address the disorder effectively.
