Here is a summary of today's events
Keir Starmer said he could “guarantee” rioters will “regret taking part in this disorder” as he condemned an attack on a hotel housing asylum seekers in Rotherham and branded the action “far-right thuggery”.
In his address to the country, Starmer pledged to “do whatever it takes to bring these thugs to justice as quickly as possible” amid the violence which has spread since the Southport killings.
Former prime minister Rishi Sunak has condemned the riots across England and Northern Ireland, stating they have “nothing to do with” the Southport stabbings.
The home secretary, Yvette Cooper, has said £29.4m of funding is being offered to provide greater protection for Mosques, following attacks on places of worship in riots across England and Northern Ireland.
Four men have been charged with committing violent disorder in Liverpool city centre on Saturday.
Stephen Parkinson, Director of Public Prosecutions, said he had “directed prosecutors to make immediate charging decisions where key evidence is in place” and said they are doing so.
After a hotel housing migrants in Rotherham was attacked, a separate hotel in Tamworth was also under attack later in the evening. Staffordshire police urged members of the public to avoid the area around the Holiday Inn in the town and said a large group of individuals were in the area who had been throwing projectiles, smashing windows, starting fires and targeting police. One officer was injured.
We are now closing this blog. Thank you for following our updates throughout today.
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Six people have been charged in connection with “disgraceful scenes” of violent disorder in Sunderland on Friday, Northumbria police have said.
A police office was looted and a Citizens Advice Bureau office set alight. The number of arrests made over the disorder is now 14, PA reported.
Four men aged 48, 41, 31 and 29, and one woman aged 43, have been charged with violent disorder.
A man aged 27 has been charged with one count of violent disorder and one count of burglary.
They will appear before magistrates on Monday.
Chief Superintendent Mark Hall, of Northumbria police, said: “We have made further arrests as our full investigation into Friday’s appalling incident continues.
“I would like to reassure the public that our investigative efforts will not stop and further arrests are expected in the coming days.
“We will absolutely not tolerate the behaviour seen in Sunderland city centre, now or ever, and will do our utmost to trace those responsible and have them brought to justice.”
Police urge public to avoid Holiday Inn in Tamworth following violence
A statement from Staffordshire police on Sunday night urged “members of the public to avoid the area around the Holiday Inn, Tamworth, as specialist officers continue to deal with violent acts of thuggery tonight (4 August).
“A large group of individuals are in the area and have been throwing projectiles, smashing windows, starting fires and targeting police.
“One officer has been injured.
“Officers are working valiantly to keep the public safe. Specialist drone surveillance and the national police air service (NPAS) have been sweeping the area as our efforts to identify those involved continue.”
Separate hotel in Tamworth reportedly under attack
A separate hotel in Tamworth, Staffordshire is under attack, according to reports.
Tamworth police confirmed it was “aware and responding proactively to protest activity in Tamworth”.
Staffordshire police officers are deployed in riot gear, it said.
Numerous videos of the demonstrations being shared online claimed to have been filmed outside a Holiday Inn Express.
The spokesperson added: “Robust action will be taken against those responsible for violence and disorder.”
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Natasha Tsangarides, associate director of advocacy at Freedom from Torture, said: “It’s horrific to see the scenes of violence in Rotherham and across the country targeting refugees and other minority communities.
“Make no mistake, this is no accident. This is the result of years of divisive politics, demonisation and dehumanisation.
“Images of people attacking and setting fires to hotels housing refugees - men, women and children who’ve fled unimaginable violence like torture - are a stark and chilling reminder that hateful rhetoric inspires hateful acts.
“The prime minister is right to condemn these attacks. No-one should feel unsafe in Britain and refugees must never be singled out as targets for far-right violence and intimidation.
“Those seeking sanctuary must be housed in safe and dignified housing, where they can recover and rebuild their lives in peace.”
Updated
A fourth man has been charged with committing violent disorder in Liverpool city centre on Saturday.
A man was detained after he was seen with a group behaving aggressively and throwing missiles towards police, according to Merseyside police.
Liam James Riley, 41 years, of Walton Road, Kirkdale has been charged with violent disorder.
He has been remanded into custody to appear at Wirral magistrates court at 9.45am on Monday.
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One man has been arrested at the planned protest in Weymouth, Dorset dolice have said.
Assistant chief constable Mark Callaghan said: “The demonstrations are well resourced with a strong police presence, including dog units, police liaison officers and evidence gathering teams.
“The majority of people are behaving within the law and I would like to thank them for their conduct. However, there have been a small number of low-level incidents, with one man arrested for a public order offence.”
#LatestNews - Please see a further update from ACC Mark Callaghan in relation to planned demonstrations in Weymouth: pic.twitter.com/t6il8UEua3
— Dorset Police (@dorsetpolice) August 4, 2024
Updated
Keir Starmer issued a stark warning to “far-right thugs”, saying they will regret taking part in violent disorder after riots escalated on Sunday, and a mob attempted to set fire to a hotel housing asylum seekers.
Read our full report on the prime minister’s speech here:
The Commons standards watchdog should hold Nigel Farage to account over his “dangerous comments” following the week’s violent disorder in the wake of the Southport murders, a Liverpool MP has said.
Kim Johnson, Labour MP for Liverpool Riverside, said Farage’s comments “cannot be left to fester” and should be examined by the parliamentary standards commissioner.
Read our full report here:
South Yorkshire police said at least 10 officers have been injured – including one who was left unconscious – as a result of “deplorable acts of violence” outside the Holiday Inn Express hotel in the Manvers area of Rotherham.
“We absolutely condemn the scenes of disorder we witnessed, with a total of around 700 people in attendance in Manvers Way earlier today,” a statement said.
“A number of people threw planks of wood at our officers and sprayed them with fire extinguishers before smashing hotel windows to gain access to the premises.
“A large bin close to a window of the hotel was also set alight causing a small fire which was later extinguished, with missiles, including glass bottles and beer cans, thrown at our officers.
“At least 10 officers have been injured as a result of the violence, with one left unconscious following a head injury, another suffering a suspected fractured elbow and others suffering suspected broken bones.
“No hotel employees or residents have been reported as injured as a result of today’s disorder.”
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One person has been arrested on suspicion of public order offences in Rotherham, South Yorkshire police said.
Assistant chief constable Lindsey Butterfield said: “Today in Rotherham we have seen our officers attacked and at least 10 injured, significant damage caused and a fire set outside a hotel full of terrified residents and staff.
“The mindless actions of those today have achieved nothing other than sheer destruction and leaving members of the public and the wider community in fear.
“The behaviour we witnessed has been nothing short of disgusting. While it was a smaller number of those in attendance who chose to commit violence and destruction, those who simply stood on and watched remain absolutely complicit in this.
“Those who choose to spread misinformation and hate online also need to take responsibility for the scenes today - this was not a protest, just angry people, reacting to a false narrative who have their own motivations for doing so.”
Updated
A third man has been charged with committing violent disorder in Liverpool city centre on Saturday.
A group were seen on Stanley Street charging and swearing at officers, and throwing missiles, police said.
Lloyd Killner, 35 years, of Burton Road, Lincoln has been charged with violent disorder.
He has been remanded into custody to appear at Liverpool magistrates court at 9.45am on Monday.
Updated
Two charged with violent disorder in Liverpool city centre
Two men have been charged with committing violent disorder in Liverpool city centre on Saturday, Merseyside police said.
Officers witnessed a group throwing stones, bricks and missiles at officers in the Paradise Street area.
Jimmy Bailey, 45, of Station Avenue, Ellesmere Port, has been charged with violent disorder.
He has been remanded into custody to appear at Liverpool magistrates court at 9.45am on Monday.
Declan Geiran, 29, of Kelso Road, Liverpool, will appear at the same court after he was charged with violent disorder and arson (to a police vehicle).
An attempt was made to set a police van alight while it was parked in William Brown Street on Saturday. The flames were quickly extinguished before significant damage or harm could be caused, the force said.
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Stephen Parkinson, Director of Public Prosecutions, said: “The acts of violence seen across the country this weekend have involved criminality of the most serious kind. I want there to be no doubt about our determination to ensure that those involved will face severe consequences.
“This weekend, we deployed extra lawyers and will continue to work around the clock in the coming days to make sure that law and order is maintained, and justice is served.
“I have directed prosecutors to make immediate charging decisions where key evidence is in place and they are doing so.
“I am determined that we will act swiftly and robustly, giving the courts maximum ability to pass sentences that reflect what has occurred.”
The former chair of the defence select committee has encouraged the government to consider calling in the army if police forces continue to be overwhelmed during the riots.
Tobias Ellwood, posting on X, said: “If our police forces continue to be overwhelmed I’d encourage the Gov to call in the Army.
“To be clear what such a MACA request (Military Aid to Civil Authorities) means - it allows police on protection duties (such as guarding Gov buildings) to be freed to bolster the front line.”
It comes amid a call to recall parliament from some MPs, including lan Byrne, the member for Liverpool West Derby.
👇
— Tobias Ellwood (@Tobias_Ellwood) August 4, 2024
If our police forces continue to be overwhelmed I’d encourage the Gov to call in the Army.
To be clear what such a MACA request (Military Aid to Civil Authorities) means - it allows police on protection duties (such as guarding Gov buildings) to be freed to bolster the front… https://t.co/G6rHrIvoAx
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The sight of demonstrators attacking a hotel in the belief it is housing migrants is “almost incomprehensible”, the managing director of the Hope not Hate advocacy group has said.
Nick Lowles said he was “lost for words” to describe the scenes at a Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham.
“The fact that hundreds of people have targeted a hotel that is housing migrants, it is almost incomprehensible,” he told Sky News.
“They knew that people were in that hotel and they consciously tried to set fire to it.
“Communities are so scared, we have to rebuild.”
Lowles said agitators have been over-simplifying stories to whip up hate.
Updated
The Scottish first minister, John Swinney, has warned against “unhelpful speculation” relating to the stabbing of a woman in Stirling.
The woman, 21, was treated in hospital for a “non-life threatening” injury on Saturday and a 29-year-old man was arrested in relation to the attack, which took place at about 8.20pm on the town’s King Street.
Social media reports on Saturday suggested three people had been stabbed and the attacker had appeared to be Muslim.
However, in an unusual move for the force, Police Scotland said the man arrested was white and from the local area.
The rumour had been promoted by Tommy Robinson, the founder of the English Defence League (EDL).
Updated
Sunak says riots "nothing to do with" Southport stabbings
Former prime minister Rishi Sunak has condemned the riots across England and Northern Ireland, stating they have “nothing to do with” the Southport stabbings.
The Conservative party leader said: “The shocking scenes we’re seeing on the streets of Britain have nothing to do with the tragedy in Southport.
“This is violent, criminal behaviour that has no place in our society.
“The police have our full support to deal with these criminals swiftly and they must face the full weight of the law.”
The shocking scenes we’re seeing on the streets of Britain have nothing to do with the tragedy in Southport.
— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) August 4, 2024
This is violent, criminal behaviour that has no place in our society.
The police have our full support to deal with these criminals swiftly and they must face the full…
Updated
Northern Ireland’s first minister, Michelle O’Neill, and deputy first minister, Emma Little-Pengelly, have said those involved in violence on the streets of Belfast should be “quickly brought before the courts”.
In a joint statement, O’Neill and Little-Pengelly said: “Whilst people are entitled to peaceful protest, there is no justification for racism or the violence and intimidation that occurred on Saturday.
“Those involved should be quickly brought before the courts and we appeal to anyone with information to provide that information to the PSNI.
“We reiterate our joint commitment to a shared, peaceful and inclusive society.”
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Starmer vows "to bring these thugs to justice as quickly as possible"
In his address to the country, Keir Starmer pledged to “do whatever it takes to bring these thugs to justice as quickly as possible” amid the violence which has spread since the Southport killings.
He told reporters that time has been spent over recent days working with police and the justice system to “make sure that the necessary arrangements for law enforcement are in place”.
It means the system can get “arrests, charge, remand and custody and conviction done very quickly”.
Noting that he was part of that system when he was director of public prosecutions, he added: “I am determined we will do whatever it takes to bring these thugs to justice as quickly as possible.”
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Greater Manchester police said extra powers have now been given to police after section 60 and section 60AA were authorised across Bolton until 10pm, following an early section 34 dispersal notice.
A force statement said: “Under a section 60, officers have extra powers to stop and search people in defined areas within a specific timeframe.
“A section 60AA authority allows us to require people to remove face coverings used to disguise or conceal their appearance.
“These temporary powers will be enforced until 10pm today (Sunday 4 August 2024) and have been authorised as part of our policing response to keep communities safe and prevent harm and disorder with increased protest activity.”
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The home secretary, Yvette Cooper, has said £29.4m of funding is being offered to provide greater protection for Mosques, following attacks on places of worship in riots across England and Northern Ireland.
The new rapid response process means mosques at risk of violent disorder can be offered additional security personnel, providing communities with vital support and reassurance. This will boost the work already being done by local police forces to protect these important places of worship.
Under the new process now in place, 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.
Cooper said: “In light of the disgraceful threats and attacks that local mosques have also faced in many communities, the government is providing rapid additional support through the Protective Security for Mosques Scheme, alongside the support from local police forces and we repeat that anyone involved in this disorder and violence will face the full force of the law.”
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Keir Starmer tells rioters "you will regret it" in address
Keir Starmer said he could “guarantee” rioters will “regret taking part in this disorder” as he condemned an attack on a hotel housing asylum seekers in Rotherham and branded the action “far-right thuggery”.
The prime minister vowed “we will do whatever it takes to bring these thugs to justice” as he addressed the nation following ongoing unrest across parts of the country.
He added: “I guarantee you will regret taking part in this disorder, whether directly or those whipping up this action online and then running away themselves.
“This is not a protest, it is organised, violent thuggery and it has no place on our streets or online.”
'I guarantee you will regret taking part in this disorder'
— Sky News (@SkyNews) August 4, 2024
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer addresses the country as violent riots continue across parts of the UK. https://t.co/U56wIrPQTO
📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube pic.twitter.com/pLRqBVmUyg
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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Malaysia has issued a travel warning to Malaysians in the United Kingdom, following riots in England and Northern Ireland.
In a statement, it said: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the High Commission of Malaysia in London, United Kingdom is closely monitoring the series of protests currently taking place in several areas of the United Kingdom, following the stabbing incident in Southport on 29 July 2024.
“Malaysians residing in or travelling to the United Kingdom are urged to stay away from the protest areas, remain vigilant and follow the latest updates and guidance provided by local authorities.
“Malaysians who have not yet registered with the High Commission of Malaysia in London are strongly encouraged to do so immediately to ensure they receive timely information and assistance. Malaysians requiring consular assistance can contact the High Commission.”
PRESS RELEASE: URGENT - NOTICE TO MALAYSIANS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM pic.twitter.com/DnuI7GczsD
— Wisma Putra (@MalaysiaMFA) August 4, 2024
A group of rioters in Middlesbrough walked through a residential area smashing the windows of houses and cars.
One person threw a piece of broken glass through the window of a home. Another of the group used a racial slur while shouting which car “are we going to smash next?”
Yet another replied “because we’re English” when asked by a resident why they were breaking windows.
A scuffle broke out between rioters and a small group of people whose cars were smashed.
A woman shouted “you fascist thugs” while a man who was with her shouted at police: “You’re letting them rampage through the city.”
Summary of the day so far
Here is a summary of the day so far:
Police faced scenes of violent disorder on Sunday outside a Holiday Inn Express hotel in Rotherham, believed to house asylum seekers, as a large group of far-right rioters clashed with officers, setting fire to a bin, smashing windows and throwing objects. At least one injured officer in riot gear was carried away by colleagues as a police helicopter circled overhead. Videos from social media appeared to show some of the rioters storming the hotel. About 100 people turned up earlier for a Stand Up to Racism counter-protest but left before the violence erupted.
More than 300 people started marching through Middlesbrough at 4.25pm after gathering at the city’s cenotaph. They carried a banner saying: “Tom Jones is Welsh, Axel Rudakubana isn’t” and chanted “We want our country back” as they made their way through the city centre. At one point police used dogs to keep the group back and stop them breaking through and running ahead of the officers patrolling the march. At least two people were taken away in handcuffs within the first half hour, while several pieces of slate were thrown, along with vapes and full plastic bottles.
At least 100 arrests have been made across England and Northern Ireland, including in London, Hartlepool, Bristol, Belfast, Southport, Hull, Stoke-on-Trent and Liverpool, and some charges have been brought, with police warning of more to come once footage has been scoured.
Keir Starmer held crisis talks with ministers on Saturday over the unrest, with justice secretary Shabana Mahmood telling colleagues “the whole justice system is ready to deliver convictions as quickly as possible”.
No 10 has said Keir Starmer will be working from London as always planned over the coming week, rejecting rumours that the prime minister was planning to take time off despite the riots. Robert Jenrick, the Conservative leadership candidate, had called on him to “abandon this Nero-esque holiday”.
Ministers will take a “nick them quick” approach to rioters, with plans for courts to sit for 24 hours to deal with suspects, but said there was no need to bring in the army. After violent disorder in a number of towns and cities, Diana Johnson, the policing minister, said it was “absolutely” the plan to carry out swift arrests, charging and sentencing. The approach is aimed at taking rioters off the streets as quickly as possible and to act as a deterrent.
Merseyside police have introduced two section 60 orders giving officers greater stop and search powers in Liverpool and Southport. The orders were put in place at 2pm on Sunday and will stay active for a 12-hour period until 2am on Monday. The orders cover areas across Liverpool and Southport and are designed to prevent serious violence
A dispersal notice has been authorised covering Bolton today until 10pm, Greater Manchester police said. The section 34 notice will mean officers have extra powers to deal with anyone taking part in causing antisocial behaviour in the defined areas. Officers will also be able to instruct and advise anyone who is causing – or very likely to cause – harassment, alarm, or distress to leave an area immediately.
A group holding anti-immigration placards and England flags stationed themselves outside the Potters International hotel, in Aldershot, on Sunday. It’s a building believed to be used to house asylum seekers. Placards with messages such as “Stop the invasion” and “House our homeless first” were held aloft.
Counter-protests have taken place in Rotherham and Lancaster. Campaign group, Stand Up to Racism, have organised at least seven unity rallies and counter-protests today. They are scheduled to take place in Birmingham, Bolton, Cardiff, Derby, Lancaster, Rotherham and Weymouth.
The government has been “reassured” that police have the resources they need to deal with disorder, the policing minister said. Asked whether enough was being done to tackle the unrest, Diana Johnson told BBC News she wanted to send “a very clear message” that those involved would be brought to justice. It came as the Police Federation voiced concerns that officers may not be able to attend other incidents as they scramble to respond to the widespread disorder.
“We’ve had riots and clashes of this nature, but they have been pocketed in particular areas of the country. We’re now seeing it flooding across major cities and towns,” Tiffany Lynch, acting national chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales told BBC Breakfast on Sunday.
Liverpool city region mayor Steve Rotheram has condemned the “thugs” who torched a recently renovated library last night. The Spellow Lane library hub, which was opened last year to provide support for one of the most deprived communities in the country, suffered severe damage. Police said rioters tried to prevent firefighters from accessing the blaze.
Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) assistant chief constable Davy Beck said the force is dealing with a number of reports of criminal damage, assault and arson in Belfast after violent disorder. Beck said three police officers had sustained injuries. A cafe and a supermarket in south Belfast were badly damaged by fire after attacks which followed rioting in the city. A number of cars were also burnt out as the police attempted to deal with the disorder in the Donegall Road area which lasted several hours on Saturday night and into Sunday morning.
Irish premier Simon Harris has “expressed disgust at those flying the Irish tricolour while attacking police and spouting racism”, a spokesperson from the taoiseach’s office has said. Harris and Northern Ireland’s first minister Michelle O’Neill spoke after violent scenes followed an anti-immigration rally in Belfast.
Stormont leaders including first minister Michelle O’Neill, deputy first minister Emma Little-Pengelly and justice minister Naomi Long have condemned the violence in Belfast. Stormont’s justice minister Naomi Long said there can be no place for “xenophobia, racism and Islamophobia” in Northern Ireland. Long commended the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) for their response to disturbances in Belfast on Saturday and sent her best wishes to officers who were injured.
A “small but violent” group brought “unacceptable disorder and violence to the streets of Bristol last night”, a police and crime commissioner said. “This behaviour is not protest. It is not an expression of legitimate concern. It is criminal,” Clare Moody, the police and crime commissioner for Avon and Somerset said.
The surge in extreme rightwing activity in the past week has led to a fivefold increase in threats to Muslims, such as of rape and death, and a threefold increase in hate crime incidents, a national monitoring group said on Sunday. Muslims in Britain have been left “terrorised” by the increase in extreme rightwing activity since Monday, which is directly linked to a large increase in anti-Islamic hate crimes, according to initial analysis from Tell Mama.
A police and crime commissioner has been criticised for saying “protest groups” in the wake of the Southport stabbings are focused on “the desire to protect Britain’s sovereignty, the need to uphold British values and in order to do this stop illegal immigration”. Donna Jones, a Conservative party politician who has been Hampshire police and crime commissioner since 2021 and also chairs the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, had said “arresting people” is “treating the symptom and not the cause”. The statement, published on the Hampshire PCC website, now appears to have been deleted
Scenes of violence and disorder in Hull last night were at odds with the city’s “heritage for acceptance and tolerance”, the Humberside police and crime commissioner said. “The scenes witnessed are completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” Jonathan Evison said.
Volunteers who turned up armed with brushes this morning to clean up the mess made during last night’s disorder are “what Hull is all about”, a councillor for the city has said. Jack Haines, who is the portfolio holder for communities, said his community is “tolerant” and “united”. Street cleaning teams in Hull worked through the night to ensure the city was open for business on Sunday. Volunteers turned up with brushes from 7am to assist council crews. Areas within the city have largely reopened following Saturday’s disorder, but a number of shops remain closed.
Updated
Extreme-right activists are terrorising UK’s Muslims, says charity
The surge in extreme rightwing activity in the past week has led to a fivefold increase in threats to Muslims, such as of rape and death, and a threefold increase in hate crime incidents, a national monitoring group said on Sunday.
Muslims in Britain have been left “terrorised” by the increase in extreme rightwing activity since Monday, which is directly linked to a large increase in anti-Islamic hate crimes, according to initial analysis from Tell Mama.
Tell Mama is a monitoring group that tracks complaints of anti-Muslim hate crimes. It says the increase in fear Muslims have experienced is directly linked to the extreme far right.
A total of 10 mosques, the charity says, have faced attacks or threats, including Islamic places of worship in Southport, Liverpool and Hartlepool.
The charity says people have been left too scared to leave their homes, with women wearing head coverings such as the hijab facing threats in the street.
The increases are from initial figures collected from 26 July to 2 August, and are compared with the same period last year. The data includes incidents online and in the real world.
The charity says the figure a year ago was already higher than normal because of a rise in hate crime incidents triggered by the Israel-Gaza conflict. The full data will be released soon, and the experience of Tell Mama, and the Community Security Trust (CST), which monitors anti-Jewish hate incidents, is that threats and attacks are underreported.
The PA news agency reports that in Middlesbrough, those being held back broke free of the police guard after 3pm.
Businesses including McDonald’s have locked their doors.
More than 300 march in Middlesbrough and clash with police
More than 300 people started marching through Middlesbrough at 3.25pm after gathering at the city’s cenotaph, reports the PA news agency.
They carried a banner saying: “Tom Jones is Welsh, Axel Rudakubana isn’t” and chanted “We want our country back” as they made their way through the city centre.
At one point police used dogs to keep the group back and stop them breaking through and running ahead of the officers patrolling the march.
At least two people were taken away in handcuffs within the first half hour, while several pieces of slate were thrown, along with vapes and full plastic bottles.
Some people kicked bollards into the road so that police vehicles driving in front of the group could not get through, and one man sat on the bonnet of a police car to stop it from moving.
Updated
Police officers given greater stop and search powers for Liverpool and Southport
Merseyside police have introduced two section 60 orders giving officers greater stop and search powers in Liverpool and Southport.
The orders were put in place at 2pm on Sunday and will stay active for a 12-hour period until 2am on Monday. The orders cover areas across Liverpool and Southport and are designed to prevent serious violence.
Inspector Al McKeon said:
The scenes we saw yesterday in Liverpool and Walton, and on Tuesday in Southport, were despicable. They left dozens of officers requiring hospital treatment and have already led to the arrests of a total of 33 suspects.
These orders will give officers on the ground the ability to stop and search anyone suspected of carrying weapons or planning any criminality. The ultimate aim of this tool is to prevent violence and disorder and keep the public safe.
People across the areas covered will see targeted and highly visible police patrols over the next 12 hours. I hope their continued presence is reassuring for all of our communities, and I would ask anyone with concerns to speak to those officers.”
Updated
The PA news agency reports that videos from social media appeared to show rioters storming into the Holiday Inn Express hotel in Rotherham, with reports of a fire inside.
A police helicopter circled overhead, and at least one injured officer in riot gear was carried away, according to the news agency.
Anti-immigration rally takes place outside hotel in Aldershot
A right wing rally has also been taking place in Aldershot, Hampshire. A large group of people holding anti-immigration placards and England flags have stationed themselves outside the Potters International hotel. It’s a building believed to be used to house asylum seekers.
Two men were arrested after objects were thrown and racist abuse was shouted at a demonstration outside the same hotel in Aldershot earlier this week.
Updated
Violent disorder in Rotherham escalates as objects thrown and bin set on fire
Images on the newswires show that at least one bin has been set on fire outside the Holiday Inn Express hotel in Rotherham, and others have been overturned.
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Three police officers injured in Saturday's Belfast disorder, says PSNI
Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) assistant chief constable Davy Beck said the force is dealing with a number of reports of criminal damage, assault and arson in Belfast.
He said:
So far we have made four arrests for a number of offences including disorderly behaviour, assault on police, taking part in an un-notified procession, riotous behaviour and possession of fireworks without a licence.
There were four reports of assault made to police involving members of the public. Serious injuries, thankfully, were not reported.
Three police officers also sustained injuries as a consequence of this disorder, two officers remained on duty and one officer was relieved from duty after suffering concussion. Such attacks on officers are totally unacceptable and I would place on record my gratitude for the professional actions of officers as they dealt with yesterday’s events.
To date we have received 13 reports of criminal damage but we expect to receive more as the days progress.
Some of these reports included extensive damage caused to local businesses with windows being broken and damage also caused to vehicles parked in the local community – some of which were burnt out.
There were also five reports of arson including a bin being set on fire, youths throwing petrol bombs and fire damage to business premises in the Donegall Road area. It was necessary to evacuate an apartment block in a building set on fire, such was the recklessness of the disorder.”
More images of the violence outside the Holiday Inn Express hotel in Rotherham are emerging on the newswires:
Updated
Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) assistant chief constable Davy Beck said those involved in disorder in Belfast will be dealt with “using the full force of the law”.
He added:
This disorder, violence and destruction has no place in Belfast or anywhere else across the streets of Northern Ireland.
I would strongly urge anyone who was involved in yesterday’s rioting and disorder to think long and hard about their actions and the devastating impact this has had on local communities.
Those who engaged in this behaviour bring nothing but shame to themselves and Belfast city. Their actions are completely inexcusable and we will be using every tool at our disposal to identify those involved.
We are now in the process of gathering evidence, CCTV and other footage of yesterday’s events and anyone who has information or who can help identify those responsible is asked to contact police on 101.”
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has said it “strongly condemns” scenes of violence and disorder in Belfast on Saturday.
A PSNI statement said:
A protest involving approximately 600 people had formed in the city hall area yesterday morning.
After a period of time and attempts to march to the Belfast Islamic centre, which was prevented by police, some of those at the protest dispersed into the Botanic Avenue, University Street, Lower Ormeau, Holyland and Donegall Road areas where sporadic violence developed for a period.
Throughout the course of the evening, further disorder was reported in the Sandy Row area where a business premises was also set on fire.
A number of nearby roads were closed by police to ensure the safety of the public and local residents, and to enable officers to deal with the situation and disorder safely. All roads were subsequently reopened.”
At least one injured officer in riot gear has been carried away by colleagues, as the disorder outside a Holiday Inn Express hotel in Rotherham has become increasingly more violent.
People wearing masks have smashed windows, while objects, including pieces of wood and chairs, have been thrown at police officers who are lined up in front of the building.
The resurgence of far-right violence in the UK is in part due to Elon Musk’s decision to allow figures such as Tommy Robinson back on to the social media platform X, researchers say.
Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, and those of his ilk are not leaders in the traditional sense and the far right has no central organisation capable of directing the disorder and violence that has been seen, experts say.
Jacob Davey, director of policy and research at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD), said: “People have been naming the EDL [English Defence League] as key figures when the EDL actually has ceased to function as a movement.”
The UK, like other parts of the world, now has “a much more decentralised extreme-right movement,” he said.
“There have been known figureheads at protests – including some avowed neo-Nazis – but there’s also this loose network that includes concerned local citizens and football hooligans.
“All of these people are tied together by these loose online networks, activated by deeply cynical influences – many outside the country – and galvanised by viral online disinformation from unknown and untrustworthy sources.”
Instead, Robinson, who is believed to have left the country earlier last week before a legal case, and other figures act as “weathermakers”, according to Joe Mulhall, director of research at Hope Not Hate, the anti-fascism organisation.
They inspire people to take ad hoc local action, or spread their own misleading or false videos online about issues including migrant boats and child grooming gangs.
You can read the full analysis piece here:
Irish taoiseach 'expressed disgust' at those flying Irish tricolour 'while attacking police and spouting racism' in Belfast
Irish premier Simon Harris and Northern Ireland’s first minister Michelle O’Neill have spoken after violent scenes followed an anti-immigration rally in Belfast.
A spokesperson from the taoiseach’s office said:
They discussed the violent scenes in Belfast last night and acknowledged the importance of the work between the gardai and PSNI to counter those who are trying to sow hate, racism and division in both jurisdictions on the island.
The taoiseach spoke of Belfast as a city and society that has spent decades working to reject hate, embrace peace, and build respect and inclusivity.
The taoiseach also expressed disgust at those flying the Irish tricolour while attacking police and spouting racism.
This is repugnant to everything the Irish flag represents.
They agreed to stay in contact.”
Updated
Windows smashed in rioting outside Rotherham hotel believed to be housing asylum seekers
The situation in Rotherham has quickly escalated, according to BBC journalist Navtej Johal who is reporting from the location. Eight windows of the Holiday Inn Express hotel have been smashed, he said, with the right wing crowd outside the building cheering.
Johal adds:
Wooden fence panels from the building’s perimeter and glass bottles have also been thrown at police officers.
There are hundreds of people here, many of them onlookers, some with children. The crowd is moving from one side of the building to another and the atmosphere is turning ugly.
Updated
Stormont’s justice minister Naomi Long has said there can be no place for “xenophobia, racism and Islamophobia” in Northern Ireland.
Long commended the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) for their response to disturbances in Belfast on Saturday and sent her best wishes to officers who were injured.
She said:
I utterly condemn the violence that we saw yesterday on the streets of Belfast. These demonstrations were orchestrated by those motivated by a desire to create fear and division. They have no regard for human life and are focused on spreading misinformation and disinformation to alienate some sections of our community.
This type of disorder needs to be highlighted for what it is – fearmongering and intimidation of the highest level.”
Long added:
There can be no place in our community for hate: for xenophobia, racism and Islamophobia. Neither can there be any place for such intimidation and intolerance. My thoughts are with all those impacted by this disorder; those whose property was damaged, businesses attacked and who were intimidated, threatened or fearful as a result.
I particularly commend the PSNI and all those frontline responders who were faced with such a challenging day yesterday. I also send my best wishes to the officers who were injured and I hope they make a speedy recovery. Thankfully, due to the professionalism and expertise of the PSNI the disruption and violence was controlled and brought to a conclusion without major incident.”
Dispersal notice authorised across Bolton, say police
A dispersal notice has been authorised covering Bolton today until 10pm, Greater Manchester police have said.
The section 34 notice will mean officers have extra powers to deal with anyone taking part in causing antisocial behaviour in the defined areas as highlighted in the map below.
A Section 34 dispersal notice has been authorised covering Bolton today (Sunday 4 August 2024) until 10pm.
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) August 4, 2024
Officers have extra powers to deal with anti-social behaviour in areas highlighted in the map until 10pm this evening.
Read more: https://t.co/ynifkeKXMx pic.twitter.com/LJewvjGZfR
Officers will also be able to instruct and advise anyone who is causing – or very likely to cause – harassment, alarm, or distress to leave an area immediately.
Ch Insp Natasha Evans said:
These powers have been authorised in response to increased protest activity. We have been working with organisers of pre-planned protests to help facilitate peaceful and lawful protests, to prevent serious disruption and ensure everyone can go about their lives without fear or risk of harm.
We will continue to have an increased police presence around these areas to deal with any incidents that may arise, and with these additional powers, officers are more equipped to intervene early to ensure people feel safe and are safe.
If you are unsure about anything, speak with one of our officers, they are there to help.”
Updated
Here are some more images coming in from Rotherham via the newswires:
Updated
Anti-racism protesters and right wing demonstrators have faced off in Rotherham, reports BBC News.
BBC journalist, Navtej Johal, reporting from Rotherham said the two groups were being “kept apart by an island of purple barriers” earlier and that there is a large police presence in the area.
About 100 people turned up earlier for a Stand Up to Racism counter-protest outside the Holiday Inn Express hotel, which is understood to house asylum seekers, on the outskirts of Rotherham in South Yorkshire, reports the BBC.
Johal said that a “larger number of people opposing the asylum seekers have arrived in the hotel car park. Many of them are waving St George and union flags. They’ve been chanting, ‘You’re not welcome any more’ and some of them are wearing masks.”
In his latest update, Johal described objects being thrown at the hotel’s windows, a police van being attacked and rocked, plus chants of “Get them out” and, “Yorkshire”. He said riot officers wearing helmets are also lined up in front of the crowd. He added that the counter-protesters had left the area.
Updated
Volunteers who turned up armed with brushes this morning to clean up the mess made during last night’s disorder are “what Hull is all about”, a councillor for the city has said.
Jack Haines, who is the portfolio holder for communities, said his community is “tolerant” and “united”.
According to the PA news agency, Haines said:
It was a privilege to join so many people who love their city and want to clean up the mess that had been made.
On behalf of the council, I’d like to thank the selfless volunteers who cleaned the streets in the wake of yesterday’s violence. They are what Hull is all about. They make me proud of our great city.
The disorder of yesterday doesn’t represent us – Hull is a friendly and welcoming city, where people from all backgrounds choose to live and settle.
Hull is open, Hull is tolerant and Hull is united, we will move on from yesterday’s events and my thanks go to all those who helped us through it.”
Scenes of violence and disorder in Hull last night were at odds with the city’s “heritage for acceptance and tolerance”, the Humberside police and crime commissioner has said.
“The scenes witnessed are completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” Jonathan Evison said.
Evison added:
We were lucky enough to have the city of culture 2017 in Hull, this goes alongside a longstanding history of being welcoming and culturally diverse.
We have a heritage for acceptance and tolerance with figureheads such as William Wilberforce.
I am concerned and angry that police officers have been injured, property has been destroyed, and businesses heavily disrupted.
I want to reassure people that, today, the city centre is safe to visit.”
The total number of arrests related to the violent disorder seen over recent days in England and Northern Ireland has increased to at least 100, reports the PA news agency.
Liverpool city region mayor condemns 'thugs' who set fire to a library last night
Liverpool city region mayor Steve Rotheram has condemned the “thugs” who torched a recently renovated library last night.
The Spellow Lane library hub, which was opened last year to provide support for one of the most deprived communities in the country, suffered severe damage. Police said rioters tried to prevent firefighters from accessing the blaze.
“Devastated to see this wonderful community asset ravaged by thugs,” Rotheram said posting on X.
Rotheram wrote:
Last year, we invested to transform it into a resource to help improve local people’s lives. Last night, ransacked by people who simply do not care for our area.
It was so much more than a library. This was not an attack on a building but an attack on our very community.
This is not protest. This is an insult to those families still grieving and survivors still struggling to make sense of Monday’s attack.
There can and must be consequences. They will feel the full force of the law.”
No 10 confirms PM will be working from London as it rejects holiday rumours
No 10 has said Keir Starmer will be working from London as always planned over the coming week.
Robert Jenrick, the Conservative leadership candidate, had called on him to “abandon this Nero-esque holiday” following rumours that the prime minister was planning to take time off despite the riots.
But Downing Street rejected the idea, saying Starmer had always been planning to work from London this week.
Updated
Hampshire police and crime commissioner criticised for saying 'protest groups' focused on 'need to uphold British values'
A police and crime commissioner has been criticised for saying “protest groups” in the wake of the Southport stabbings are focused on “the desire to protect Britain’s sovereignty, the need to uphold British values and in order to do this stop illegal immigration”.
Donna Jones, a Conservative party politician who has been Hampshire police and crime commissioner since 2021 and also chairs the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, had said “arresting people” is “treating the symptom and not the cause”.
The statement, published on the Hampshire PCC website, now appears to have been deleted, reports the PA news agency.
Liberal Democrat MP for Winchester Danny Chambers said he was “deeply concerned” about her remarks, adding:
These extreme views make her totally unsuitable to hold this position of responsibility.”
I'm deeply concerned to learn Hampshire's Police & Crime Commissioner believes the rioters vandalising our streets and attacking mosques are motivated by "the need to uphold British values."
— Danny Chambers MP 🔸🩺 (@DannyVet) August 4, 2024
These extreme views make her totally unsuitable to hold this position of responsibility pic.twitter.com/0PaIxoFdUA
Former chief prosecutor Nazir Afzal said:
I, as a former CEO of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, would have heavily advised against a current PCC, let alone the chair, appearing to justify rioting and criminality that police officers are bravely having to deal with right now.
Totally unacceptable.”
Ministers will take a “nick them quick” approach to rioters, with plans for courts to sit for 24 hours to deal with suspects, but said there was no need to bring in the army.
After violent disorder in a number of towns and cities, Diana Johnson, the policing minister, said it was “absolutely” the plan to carry out swift arrests, charging and sentencing.
The approach is aimed at taking rioters off the streets as quickly as possible and to act as a deterrent.
Updated
The chief executive of Hull city council has also praised street cleaning teams who got to work as soon as they had clearance from the police.
Videos on social media last night showed shops in Hull city centre looted and on fire.
Posting on X, Matt Jukes added:
The idiots who caused all this don’t define us, our people and those who work to ensure everything gets back to normal do.”
Street cleaning teams in Hull worked through the night, says city councillor
Street cleaning teams in Hull have worked through the night to ensure the city is open for business today, the city council has said.
Volunteers turned up with brushes from 7am to assist council crews. Areas within the city have largely reopened following Saturday’s disorder, but a number of shops remain closed.
Thank you to Hull City council for straight away getting on with cleaning up our great city after the disgraceful events yesterday . Our community in Hull is and will always be strong, respectful, tolerant and law abiding. https://t.co/nbUMRHN7vp
— Diana Johnson DBE MP 🇬🇧🇺🇦🌈 (@DianaJohnsonMP) August 4, 2024
“Yesterday we saw the worst of Hull but already today we have seen the best,” councillor Jack Haines of Hull city council said.
Haines added:
The cleaning teams have made fantastic progress overnight. The main streets are largely clear and the interchange has reopened.
We have already seen the power in our community with volunteers turning up from 7am this morning with brushes to assist council teams. I thank all volunteers and council staff.
With the clean-up largely completed and areas clear, the best way anyone can help today is to come together, enjoy our city and support local shops and business.”
At least 90 arrests made across England and Northern Ireland so far
At least 90 arrests have been made across England and Northern Ireland, including in London, Hartlepool, Bristol, Belfast, Southport, Hull, Stoke-on-Trent and Liverpool, and some charges have been brought, with police warning of more to come once footage has been scoured.
Keir Starmer held crisis talks with ministers on Saturday over the unrest, with justice secretary Shabana Mahmood telling colleagues “the whole justice system is ready to deliver convictions as quickly as possible”, according to the PA news agency.
Bricks, chairs and bottles have been pelted at officers, mosques have been attacked, and a police station along with a number of community facilities across the country, including a library, have been torched in the violence.
In Liverpool, Merseyside police said about 300 people were involved in violent disorder on County Road, Walton, which included community facilities being set on fire.
The Spellow Lane library hub, which was opened last year to provide support for one of the most deprived communities in the country, suffered severe damage to the ground floor, reports the PA news agency.
Police said rioters tried to prevent firefighters from accessing the blaze, throwing a missile at the fire engine and breaking the rear window of the cab.
A total of 23 people were arrested on Saturday, Merseyside police said, including 12 arrests for the disorder in the city centre, nine arrests for the disorder on County Road and two arrests in connection with disorder in Southport.
One officer was kicked and knocked off his motorcycle by a demonstrator and others tried to kick riot shields.
Assistant chief constable Alex Goss called the behaviour of protesters “deplorable”, adding:
The impact of the disorder will be devastating for the people of Walton, but I promise that we are doing everything in our power to arrest those involved and bring them to justice.”
In Bristol, police made 14 arrests because of violent disorder in the city centre, which Avon and Somerset police described as “completely unacceptable”.
Neighbourhood Chief Inspector Vicks Hayward-Melen has given the following update in response to the disorder in Bristol city centre tonight.
— Avon and Somerset Police (@ASPolice) August 3, 2024
An accessible version of this statement can be found here: https://t.co/RMjXlfxEiy pic.twitter.com/qpacsDpCt1
Lancashire police said more than 20 people were arrested and dispersal orders were issued in parts of Blackpool, Preston and Blackburn.
We can confirm more than 20 people have been arrested today during a large policing operation in Lancashire.
— Lancashire Police (@LancsPolice) August 3, 2024
Dispersal orders were issued in parts of Blackpool, Preston and Blackburn, with arrests made after some disruption.
For more go to 👉 https://t.co/cVJBL3HOtN pic.twitter.com/egTbUhshkN
Staffordshire police said 10 people were arrested after disorder in Stoke-on-Trent.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said they were treating reports of criminal damage in Belfast as hate crimes and had made two arrests.
Further protests are planned for Sunday and more trouble is likely in the coming days, police said.
“We know people will try and do this again and policing has been and will continue to be ready,” said chief constable Ben-Julian “BJ” Harrington, who speaks on public order for the National Police Chiefs’ Council.
He added:
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.”
Updated
Courts could sit for 24 hours to fast-track prosecutions, suggests policing minister
Courts could sit for 24 hours to ensure “thugs” who “maraud our streets” are swiftly brought to justice, while forces have measures in place to draft in extra officers to respond to further unrest, Home Office minister Diana Johnson has indicated.
Prime minister Keir Starmer has given police his “full backing” to take any action necessary to respond to “extremists” attempting to “sow hate” after scenes of disorder in England and Northern Ireland this week.
But concerns have been raised that officers may be left unable to deal with other incidents as a result of the need to focus efforts on the prospect of ongoing rioting, with the Police Federation warning: “There is a cost to all this.”
Asked whether enough is being done to respond to the disorder, policing minister Johnson said the government has been “reassured” forces are able to meet the scale of the challenge.
Despite the government recently announcing the early release of some offenders to ease prison overcrowding, Johnson said there is jail capacity to hand custodial sentences to those “marauding our streets”.
Asked whether courts could be forced to sit overnight to fast-track prosecutions as they did for the 2011 riots, she said the government will do “whatever it takes” to ensure people are brought to justice.
Deputy national chair of the Police Federation, Brian Booth, told the PA news agency that forces can handle the unrest in the short-term, but it will probably put further pressure on already-stretched resources.
“There is a cost to all this,” he said. “Every day this continues means a certain amount of officer hours are being taken away from other policing duties. It has a massive effect on already significant under-resourcing.”
Some areas may see a diminished police presence as a result of less robust preventive patrols because officers “can’t be in two places at once”, he said.
Scanning CCTV and other footage in incident rooms to identify suspects and deploying to the scene of disorder means fewer staff on the beat, Booth added. Officers taken out by injuries will also deplete forces, he said, adding:
It’s truly awful. These are the images I never want to see, of colleagues being battered just for doing their job.”
Updated
'Small but violent' group brought 'unacceptable disorder' to Bristol last night, says police and crime commissioner
A “small but violent” group brought “unacceptable disorder and violence to the streets of Bristol last night”, a police and crime commissioner has said.
“This behaviour is not protest. It is not an expression of legitimate concern. It is criminal,” Clare Moody, the police and crime commissioner for Avon and Somerset said.
Moody said:
These actions do not represent the values of Bristol or the wider Avon and Somerset area. We are a strong, diverse and vibrant community where people from all walks of life live peacefully alongside one another.
I want to extend my gratitude to the police officers who have been on the frontlines, dealing with these disturbances with professionalism and courage.
These actions will have consequences and I welcome Keir Starmer and Yvette Cooper’s commitment to ensure that those involved will face the full force of the law.”
“Now is a time for calm and reflection,” she added.
Updated
Campaign group, Stand Up to Racism, has shared a picture of a counter-demonstration taking place outside Lancaster town hall today. On X, the group wrote:
Lancaster says refugees are welcome here. Fascists are not.”
#Lancaster says refugees are welcome here. Fascists are not ✊🏽 pic.twitter.com/iUN74rbeTP
— Stand Up To Racism (@AntiRacismDay) August 4, 2024
According to its website, Stand Up to Racism have organised at least seven unity rallies and counter-protests today. They are scheduled to take place in Birmingham, Bolton, Cardiff, Derby, Lancaster, Rotherham and Weymouth.
Updated
The PA news agency has more detail on the cafe and supermarket destroyed by fire in South Belfast (see 9.30am BST) after violent disorder:
Bashir, who did not wish to provide his surname, and his staff were removing remaining stock from his grocery store, which was set alight on Saturday night. The front and inside of the business were extensively damaged.
He said he had been in business for three years and this was the third time he had been targeted.
The business owner was clearly emotional when asked about his reaction to the attack on his shop. He said:
How do I feel? I can’t describe it, empty mind, we couldn’t even sleep [last night], the words, I can’t even describe what has happened to be honest.
There is no message for people like this. When people do this, when people do something like this, you think they will accept the message?”
Across the road from the supermarket, a cafe seemed to have been completely destroyed by fire. The sign on the Bash cafe offers Arabic coffee and falafels. Windows were broken at the business and the interior was extensively damaged by smoke and fire.
There was evidence of a number of fires on the road, with bins and some vehicles burnt out. The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service said it had attended a shop and a cafe on fire on Donegall Road on Saturday night. It said the cause of both fires had been determined as deliberate.
Stormont leaders including first minister Michelle O’Neill, deputy first minister Emma Little-Pengelly and justice minister Naomi Long have condemned the violence in Belfast.
Northern Ireland must always be a place that protects the right to protest, the right to have a view and to express it.
— Emma Little-Pengelly BL (@little_pengelly) August 3, 2024
Let's be VERY clear - violence is not acceptable. It never was and it is not now. No one, NO ONE, has the right to express hate and violence. Stop it now.
Northern Ireland secretary Hilary Benn praised the police for their response to the unrest.
DUP MLA Edwin Poots said many of those involved were not from south Belfast.
He said:
The violence witnessed in south Belfast is totally wrong and unacceptable. Many of those engaged in the violence are not local and many in the local community are expressing their unhappiness at the rioting.
People are angry and frustrated. Over the course of the last year councillor Tracy Kelly and I have raised many issues affecting communities in south Belfast, which government bodies have largely ignored.
Acts of violence and destruction of the area which we are trying to get investment into is totally counterproductive.”
Updated
Clean up begins in Belfast after night of rioting leaves cafe and supermarket damaged by fire
A cafe and a supermarket in south Belfast have been badly damaged by fire after attacks which followed rioting in the city.
A number of cars were also burnt out as the police attempted to deal with the disorder in the Donegall Road area which lasted several hours on Saturday night and into Sunday morning, reports the PA news agency.
Firefighters were also at the scene dealing with a number of deliberate fires.
On Sunday morning the clean up had begun. Supermarket manager Bashir’s business was extensively damaged by fire. He told the PA news agency that the Islamic community was being targeted.
He said:
People attacked this place, racism against Islam and Muslims, especially the Muslim community.”
He added:
All of that happened and the police did nothing, I am telling you the truth. What kind of police are letting the people burn everything down?”
The violence on Saturday night followed unrest earlier in the day after businesses were attacked when an anti-immigration rally moved through the city.
Police mounted a significant security operation during a lengthy confrontation between the group and those taking part in a counter-demonstration at Belfast city hall during which fireworks and other missiles were thrown.
According to the PA news agency, people taking part in the anti-Islam rally then travelled towards the university area of the city where there were clashes with residents of the Lower Ormeau area. A business was attacked in the Botanic area of the city and windows were smashed at a hotel.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said they were treating reports of criminal damage as hate crimes and had made two arrests.
A key factor in this spread of online disinformation involved Elon Musk’s decision to allow rightwing activists such as Tommy Robinson back on to his social media platform X, said Joe Mulhall, director of research at Hope Not Hate, the anti-fascism organisation. “The initial disinformation and anger was being perpetrated by individuals on Twitter, for example, that have been previously deplatformed,” he said. “And now they’ve been replatformed.”
Robinson was permanently banned from the platform (then called Twitter) in March 2018, then reinstated in November last year, after Musk bought it. “We hadn’t seen any significant numbers at any demonstrations since 2018,” Mulhall added.
An example of the danger posed by the misuse of social media was revealed in Stoke-on-Trent, where police were forced to deny there had been a stabbing, countering claims made on social media. “There is growing speculation that a stabbing has taken place as a result of the disorder today. We can confirm this information is false and no stabbings have been reported to police or emergency responders, despite videos fuelling speculation on social media,” police said.
The danger of such intervention was stressed by Ben-Julian “BJ” Harrington, the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for public order, who condemned social media disinformation as a cause of last week’s disorder.
He said:
We had reports today that two people had been stabbed by Muslims in Stoke – it’s just not true. There’s people out there, not even in this country, circulating and stoking up hatred, division and concerns in communities that they don’t care about, don’t know and don’t understand.”
Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Tiffany Lynch from the Police Federation of England and Wales said on intelligence:
We have our intelligence officers out there [in the community].
What we also have is disinformation across social media, which obviously needs to be addressed quickly.”
On violence against police, she said:
We saw at the very start of this week … the tragic horrific killing of three young children and the injured children … a day of reflection quickly turned into horrific violence, and towards police officers that are there to protect everybody.
We will continue keeping up this policing for as long as it takes. We need it to stop, and we need it to stop immediately. We will mobilise immediately. We are 24/7, 365 days a year. We need the public to get behind the police, to get behind the call for this to stop.”
On Saturday bricks were hurled at police officers in Stoke-on-Trent, fireworks were thrown amid tense exchanges between an anti-Islamic group and an anti-racism rally in Belfast, and windows of a hotel which has been used to house migrants were smashed in Hull, where three police officers were injured and four people arrested. Later video footage on social media showed shops on fire. Several officers were also injured during “serious disorder” in Liverpool city centre, where bricks, bottles and a flare were thrown and two officers needed hospital treatment and six arrests were made. Greater Manchester police said a dispersal notice had been authorised for the city centre. Scuffles broke out as opposing groups faced each other in Nottingham’s Old Market Square with bottles and other items thrown from both sides.
About 150 people carrying St George’s Cross flags, shouting “you’re not English any more” and “paedo Muslims off our street”, were greatly outnumbered in Leeds by hundreds of counter-protesters shouting “Nazi scum off our streets”. Skirmishes broke out between demonstrators and punks – in town for a festival – in Blackpool, with bottles and chairs thrown.
In Bristol, police kept protesters and counter protesters apart before a group headed to a hotel used to house asylum seekers.
The need for urgent political intervention was stressed by the government’s independent adviser on political violence and disruption, Lord Walney, who told the Observer that new emergency powers may be needed. “The system isn’t set up to deal with this rolling rabble-rousing being fuelled by far-right actors,” he said.
“I think Home Office ministers may want to look urgently at a new emergency framework – perhaps temporary in nature – that enables police to use the full powers of arrest to prevent people gathering where there is clear intent to fuel violent disorder.”
Updated
Technology secretary discussing misinformation with social media companies, says Home Office minister
There is “no need” to bring in the army to deal with unrest in parts of England, Diana Johnson said.
Asked whether the government would draft in the military to help respond, the Home Office minister told BBC News:
There is no need to bring in the army and there has been no discussion about that.
As I say, the police have made it very clear that they have all the resources they need at the moment … they have the powers that they need.”
Technology secretary Peter Kyle has been having discussions with social media companies about misinformation spread online, Johnson said.
“Obviously we need to do more because you’re absolutely right there has been that spread of misinformation which has caused problems this week,” she added.
The government has been “reassured” that police have the resources they need to deal with disorder, a Home Office minister has said.
Asked whether enough was being done to tackle the unrest, Diana Johnson told BBC News she wanted to send “a very clear message” that those involved would be brought to justice.
It comes as the Police Federation voiced concerns that officers may not be able to attend other incidents as they scramble to respond to the widespread disorder.
“We have been reassured that the police have the resources that they need to be able to deal with what’s happening at the moment,” Johnson said.
She added:
They have longstanding plans in place for mutual aid if they need to put extra police officers into certain parts of the country. We are certainly not hearing that things like 999 calls are not being answered.”
The policing minister insisted there would be “penalties and consequences” for criminal disorder and it would “not be tolerated.”
Updated
Rioting 'flooding across major cities and towns' as police brace for more disorder
Multiple towns and cities yesterday across England and Northern Ireland saw clashes between anti-immigration demonstrators and counter-protesters, with police officers attacked and injured, and many more arrests promised.
Dozens of arrests were made after the scenes of disorder, with police warning that further violence is likely in the coming days.
Tiffany Lynch, acting national chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales condemned the recent rioting and violence against police. She told BBC Breakfast:
It is an abhorrent, senseless act of violence against our police officers, towards our public buildings who are there to serve the community.”
[These acts are those of] a small minority and it doesn’t represent the community of Great Britain. It is absolutely abhorrent.”
She added:
We’ve had riots and clashes of this nature, but they have been pocketed in particular areas of the country. We’re now seeing it flooding across major cities and towns.
We’re seeing officers that are being pulled from day-to-day policing to … go out there and essentially protect our communities.
But while that’s happening, the communities that are out there that are having incidents against them – victims of crime – unfortunately, their crimes are not being investigated.
We’re not going to be able to attend all of the incidents that are coming in on the 999s because we’re having to direct the priorities of what’s happening on the streets.”
Updated
