The far-right clashed with police officers in major cities across the UK on Saturday, as authorities warn more disorder is likely in the coming days. Incidents took place in several cities on Saturday, including Manchester, Liverpool, Hull, and Stoke, which saw “violent thugs” clash with police and counter-protesters. In Liverpool, two officers had to be taken to the hospital – one with a suspected broken nose and another with a suspected broken jaw – as chairs, bricks, bottles, and flares were thrown at them. Chief Constable BJ Harrington, who speaks on public order for the National Police Chiefs’ Council, said authorities are prepared for people to “try and do this again in the coming days”.
UK protests and riots live: Far right violence erupts in Liverpool and Manchester as bricks thrown at police
Southport stabbing suspect arrives at Liverpool court charged with murder of children
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The far-right clashed with police officers in major cities across the UK on Saturday, as authorities warn more disorder is likely in the coming days.
Incidents took place in several cities on Saturday, including Manchester, Liverpool, Hull and Stoke, which saw “violent thugs” clash with police and counter-protesters.
In Liverpool, two officers had to be taken to hospital – one with a suspected broken nose and another with a suspected broken jaw – as chairs, bricks, bottles and flares were thrown at them.
Chief Constable BJ Harrington, who speaks on public order for the National Police Chiefs’ Council, said authorities are prepared for people to “try and do this again in the coming days”.
The far right has drawn condemnation from MPs across the political spectrum after disorder in London, Manchester, Southport and Hartlepool over the past three days.
The protests are thought to have been triggered in part by social media misinformation about the knife attack in Southport, Merseyside, on Monday, which led to the death of three children.
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Police car destroyed in Bristol after violent protests grip cities around England
Police car destroyed in Bristol after violent protests grip cities around England
Athena Stavrou3 August 2024 22:05
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20 arrested in Lancashire
Police arrested 20 people in Lancashire with the biggest disorder seen in Blackpool.
There were also disturbances in Preston and Blackburn.
Assistant Chief Constable Phil Davies said: “We have today made a significant number of arrests following tension in Blackpool and some minor disruption in parts of Preston and Blackburn.
“In Blackpool, we have witnessed some mindless thuggery from individuals, who we believe to be from outside of the county, intent on causing issues in our communities.
“We have also seen some small pockets of tension elsewhere in the county.”
Athena Stavrou3 August 2024 21:55
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Far-right gather at asylum-hotel in Bristol
In Bristol, a group dispersed from the city centre and headed to the Mercure Bristol Hotel at Redcliff which has been used to house asylum seekers.
They were outnumbered by a group of counter-protesters who chanted: “We are many, you are few. We are Bristol, who are you?”
Athena Stavrou3 August 2024 21:54
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More disorder likely in coming days
More disorder is likely in the coming days, police have said.
Chief Constable BJ Harrington, who speaks on public order for the National Police Chiefs’ Council, said in a statement: “This week we have seen appalling behaviour that in no way shows compassion or respect for the little girls who were killed and injured last week. It shows no respect for our communities, and it will be stopped.
“We know people will try and do this again in the coming days and policing has been and will continue to be ready.
“There are 130 extra units in place across the country, meaning almost 4,000 extra public order-trained officers to deploy.
“So if you’re planning to cause trouble and disorder our message is very simple – we’ll be watching you. Anyone committing a criminal offence will be detained and brought before the courts.
“In recent days we have seen criminals masquerading as protesters, causing senseless destruction.
“These people are not protesters, they’re violent thugs – and many have already been arrested and charged.”
Athena Stavrou3 August 2024 21:50
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15-year-old amongst those arrested in Stoke-on-Trent
Staffordshire Police said 10 people, all male and aged between 52 and 15, had been arrested on suspicion of offences including assault, violent disorder and racial or religious threatening behaviour.
The force said two men at the centre of online claims that they had been stabbed had actually been hurt when a blunt instrument was thrown in the air.
They are in hospital and police said their injuries were not serious.
Three police officers suffered minor injuries.
Athena Stavrou3 August 2024 21:44
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Arrests made in Bristol as cement table base thrown at police car
Police said they had made multiple arrests because of violent disorder in Bristol city centre.
Avon and Somerset Police said: “Some of the behaviour we have seen is completely unacceptable and we will use all the powers available to us to deal with it.”
The was a large police presence in the centre of Bristol as a protest got under way.
They had gathered at Castle Park following a campaign on social media with the tags “enough is enough” and “stop the boats”.
A counter protest organised by those opposed to the far-right was also taking place at the same time.
Both groups were on Victoria Street but divided by the Bristol Bridge and dozens of police officers in riot gear.
Mounted officers were also on duty, as were dog handlers.
A vandalised police vehicle which occurred during a protest in Bristol (Rod Minchin/PA Wire)
Athena Stavrou3 August 2024 21:43
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“Unforgivable” scenes of violence in Hull
Videos posted on social media have shown scenes of violence perpetrated by far-right rioters in Hull.
Footage showed shops in the city centre being looted and set on fire, while another showed a group draped in England flags jumping on an unknown persons car while they were inside.
This evening, MP for Hull West and Haltemprice, Emma Hardy, warned that the violence was now “widespread” rather than focused in the city centre.
She added that there have alsoe been a number of local fires. “The videos on social media I have seen disgust me,” she wrote on social media. “The level of intimation and violence towards members of our community are unforgivable.
“We can of course disagree but this behaviour is appalling and inexcusable. It needs us ALL to condemn it. Violent criminals can never be allowed to win.”
Athena Stavrou3 August 2024 21:33
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Two officers taken to hospital and six arrested after Liverpool riot
Two police officers had to be taken to hospital today after violent protests broke out in Liverpool.
Merseyside Police said one officer suffered a suspected broken nose and another had a suspected broken jaw. Footage from the city today showed far-right individuals throwing bricks and chairs at officers while another video showed an officer falling off their motorbike and being beaten by rioters.
The force added that it had already arrested six people between 29 and 58-years-old on suspicion of offences including violent disorder and criminal damage. The number of arrests is expected to increase.
(James Speakman/PA Wire)
Athena Stavrou3 August 2024 21:23
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Watch: Anti-immigration protesters gather outside hotel housing asylum seekers in Hull
Anti-immigration protesters gather outside hotel housing asylum seekers in Hull
Athena Stavrou3 August 2024 21:15
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Home Secretary adresses violent protests – ICYMI
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said those engaging in violent disorder “will pay the price.”
“Criminal violence and disorder has no place on Britain’s streets,” she told broadcasters.
“We’ve been clear to the police that they have our full backing in taking the strongest possible action against perpetrators, including making sure that there are more prosecutors, there are sufficient prison places and also that the courts stand ready because anyone who engages in this kind of disorder needs to be clear that they will pay the price.”
(Elena Giuliano/PA Wire)
Athena Stavrou3 August 2024 21:00
Read the full story on www.independent.co.uk
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/riots-protest-police-uk-today-manchester-liverpool-hull-sunderland-b2590707.html