More than 400 people have now been arrested in connection with riots and disorder around the country, with the number expected to continue rising in the coming days. There were 46 charges on Monday and 18 overnight, with police aware of six potential events on Tuesday and at least 30 possible gatherings expected on Wednesday. The Home Secretary condemned the disgraceful scenes of crime and thuggery at various sites, while the National Violent Disorder Programme was highlighted for bringing together the best policing capabilities to swiftly intervene in arresting violent groups. Additionally, an extra 2,200 riot-trained officers will be deployed to combat the extremist right-wing-led violence, with concerns about potential further trouble and gatherings. Police are also investigating influencers and organisers for incitement, and there is a level of fear among targeted communities, especially Muslims and asylum seekers.
UK riots live: arrests pass 400 as police prepare for further riots; man in serious condition after suspected hate crime | Politics
Arrests surpass 400 as police prepare for further riots
More than 400 people have now been arrested in connection with riots and disorder around the country, PA has reported, citing police sources. The number is expected to continue to rise in the coming days.
There were 46 charges on Monday and 18 overnight, PA understands.
Police are aware of six potential events on Tuesday, while Wednesday is expected to be a busy day, with officers monitoring reports of at least 30 possible gatherings.
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Key events
Keir Starmer has told Cabinet that the “standing army” of special duty public officers are ready to be deployed across the country to tackle any emerging disorder, PA reported citing Downing Street.
A readout of the meeting said:
The Home Secretary gave an update on the latest situation and the current operational response, condemning the disgraceful scenes of crime and thuggery at sites including the Liverpool Children’s Library, mosques, supermarkets and hotels housing asylum seekers.
The Home Secretary spoke about the progress of the new National Violent Disorder Programme in bringing together the best policing capabilities from across the country to share intelligence on the activity of violent groups so the authorities can swiftly intervene to arrest them.
The Cabinet joined the Home Secretary in her praise of the police for their continued hard work and recognition of the dedicated people who were helping to rebuild communities in the wake of the damage caused.
The Attorney General spoke about the swift progress by the Crown Prosecution Service in charging offenders and looked towards potential court hearings at the end of the week.
The Deputy Prime Minister spoke Cabinet through the work her department had been undertaking with local leaders to address community tensions and offer support.
Lastly, the Secretary of State for Science and Technology updated on his meetings with social media companies where he made clear their responsibility to continue to work with the Government to stop the spread of hateful disinformation and incitement.
ShareVikram Dodd
As well as the extra riot officers, other specialist units will be pulled off their regular duties to help combat the violence, blamed on the extremist right wing.
Regional and organised crime units – which usually tackle drugs gangs and other serious crime – are investigating “influencers and organisers” to see if they are crossing the line into committing the criminal offence of incitement, a police source said.
Six events are expected on Tuesday, about 30 may take place on Wednesday and the coming weekend may also see gatherings which so far have frequently descended into violence. To add to the sense of police being under stretch, the football season begins this weekend.
Counter-terrorism policing is also supporting the police response, though details have not yet been given.
Police accept there is “a level of fear” among communities targeted, especially Muslims and Britain and asylum seekers, a police spokesperson said today.
Privately police believe they could manage with a worsening of the violence and thus, even greater demands on policing. But that comes at a price to regular crime fighting, community policing, and officer welfare.
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Updated at 13.50 BST
Shabana Mahmood, the justice secretary, has said that “it doesn’t matter who you are or what you’re protesting – if you turn up in a mask, with a weapon, intent on causing disorder, you will face the full force of the law.”
“To those working with police and community organisations with pride and civic duty – you are the best of us,” she added.
It doesn’t matter who you are or what you’re protesting – if you turn up in a mask, with a weapon, intent on causing disorder, you will face the full force of the law.
To those working with police and community organisations with pride and civic duty – you are the best of us.
— Shabana Mahmood MP (@ShabanaMahmood) August 6, 2024Share
Updated at 13.50 BST
Rowena Mason
Nick Tenconi, the interim leader of Ukip, has been at the scenes of the anti-migrant protest in Plymouth shouting slogans with a loud speaker.
Locals in Plymouth say enough is enough!
UKIP leader @NickTenconi joins patriots in Plymouth as they peacefully stand up to two-tier Keir’s tyranny.
The people will not be ignored.
The people demand change. pic.twitter.com/gK3rWwSnRd
— UK Independence Party (@UKIP) August 6, 2024
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The director of public prosecutions, Stephen Parkinson, has said that there have been around a hundred charges in the wake of disorder around the country, PA reported.
“There have been about 100 charges that have been laid. As we heard last night, around 400 people arrested. So the majority of people have been released on bail pending further investigation,” he told the BBC.
He added:
And what the police will be doing now is building those files. They will be resubmitted to us and then we’ll be making charging decisions.
I should say that we are able to make immediate charging decisions. In fact, I made a direction to my colleagues that I would want them to make immediate charging decisions if we got the key evidence in place.
But for the most part, the police have made the decision to release people on bail and then they’ll come to us at later stage. That means that we can manage the flow quite easily because not all these people will come back at the same time.
So I’m confident actually that we have the capacity and the capability to deal with the work that’s there and the work that we anticipate coming forward.
ShareLibby Brooks
Scottish secretary Ian Murray has today written to religious leaders across the country to offer them his direct support, as he said he spoke to the chief constable of Police Scotland.
Murray said: “I am reassured that Police Scotland do not have any specific intelligence that disorder is likely in Scotland at this point, but we must not be complacent.”
He said:
The hate-fuelled violence and thuggery we have seen in the last few days across parts of the country is unacceptable and intolerable. Two messages must be made clear – that those responsible for violence and rioting will face the full force of the law, and that the politics of hate and division can never win.
Referencing attempts by Tommy Robinson to stir up Islamophobic rumours about stabbing in Stirling at the weekend, he added:
I know that many communities in Scotland are concerned that violence may spread here. We do know that misinformation has been spread about events in Scotland.
“There is no place in Scotland for this sort of violence, hate and xenophobia. We simply will not tolerate it,” he said.
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Updated at 13.23 BST
Arrests surpass 400 as police prepare for further riots
More than 400 people have now been arrested in connection with riots and disorder around the country, PA has reported, citing police sources. The number is expected to continue to rise in the coming days.
There were 46 charges on Monday and 18 overnight, PA understands.
Police are aware of six potential events on Tuesday, while Wednesday is expected to be a busy day, with officers monitoring reports of at least 30 possible gatherings.
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Further 2,220 riot trained police officers to be deployed
Vikram Dodd
An extra 2,200 riot trained officers will be deployed to combat the extremist rightwing-led violence that has erupted since last week, police chiefs today announced.
Police chiefs have decided to dramatically increase the number, with violence continuing on Monday, and more events planned today.
They are also braced for a potential 30 so-called protests on Wednesday evening, and are assessing the credibility of an online document listing targets, many of which are connected to immigration and asylum.
Already almost 4,000 riot officers had been deployed across England and Wales. Some faced violence in their own force area, some were sent to help out other forces which were under strain over the weekend.
All the riot officers usually carry out regular police work, and thus a police source accepted that pulling another 2,200 riot trained officers from their usual duties will further damage regular policing.
In total there are 18,000 specially trained public order or riot officers in England and Wales. The decision to increase the number deployed means 30% of the total will be deployed.
A police source said the number would be adjusted up or down, as the situation develops. Further trouble is feared and being prepared for today and tomorrow.
Over 400 arrests have now been made and the police source said while some of the violence is planned, with a lot of those joining in being locals who hear of so-called protests and decide to join in.
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Nigel Farage was in Hong Kong as riots spread, says report
Nigel Farage was visiting Hong Kong as far-right riots spread across England and he called for the recall of parliament, the Hong Kong Free Press (HKFP) has reported.
The news that Farage was abroad came after he issued a statement on Monday calling for parliament to be recalled. In the statement, Farage, who is the MP for Clacton, also appeared to support the myth of “two-tier policing”.
A spokesperson for Farage, the leader of Reform UK, confirmed the visit and said he had now returned, the HKFP reported. “This was an important family visit, taken whilst UK parliament is in recess, he is now back in the UK,” the spokesperson told the newspaper.
Farage was spotted in Hong Kong by a social media user, who said she saw the politician at Hong Kong’s Mandarin Oriental hotel on Monday.
Tommy Robinson has also been revealed as holidaying in Cyprus while continuing his online commentary about the riots. He is among those who are being looked at by police for their alleged role in disseminating disinformation.
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Updated at 12.52 BST
We have more detail on the 28 people charged in connection with violence in central Middlesbrough on Sunday.
Cleveland Police said of this number, 26 have been charged with violent disorder, one is accused of possession of an offensive weapon and another was charged after being wanted on a warrant.
Meanwhile, two men and two teenagers have been charged in connection with disorder in Bolton on Sunday.
One man, 31, has been charged with violent disorder, while another, 18, has has been charged with criminal damage to property valued under £5,000. Both have been remanded in custody ahead of court appearances on Tuesday, Lancashire Police said.
In addition, a 16-year-old boy has been charged with violent disorder and another 16-year-old boy has been charged with being in possession of an offensive weapon in a public place, police said.
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India warns its citizens about the riots, joining four other countries
Matthew Weaver
India has joined at least four other countries in advising its citizens about the dangers of the riots in England, warning them to avoid areas where protests are happening.
In an advisory for Indians visiting the UK, the High Commission of India in London said: “Indian travelers would be aware of recent disturbances in some parts of the United Kingdom. The High Commissioner of India in London is closely monitoring the situation.
“Visitors from India are advised to stay vigilant and exercise due caution while traveling in the UK. It is advisable to follow local news and advisories issued by local security agencies, and to avoid areas where protests are underway. In case of an emergency, the High Commission of India may be contacted.”
Similar alerts have already been issued by Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia and Nigeria.
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Updated at 12.19 BST
Read the full story on www.theguardian.com
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2024/aug/06/plymouth-belfast-violence-southport-stabbings-england-police-uk-riots-live