Rioters after Southport attack ‘largely racially motivated thugs’, Met chief says

Riot police hold back protesters near a burning police vehicle after disorder broke out on July 30, 2024 in Southport. Sir Mark Rowley also raised concerns about the risk of a crush at Notting Hill carnival during the policing board hearing. Photograph: Getty Images

The people behind the violence in England this summer were “largely racially motivated criminal thugs”, the Metropolitan police commissioner has said, as he revealed that some of those arrested in London had previous convictions for violent offences.

Sir Mark Rowley said data about those arrested after a supposed protest in Whitehall, in central London, in late July supported his view.