The home secretary, Yvette Cooper, thanked “police officers working tonight to protect and support local communities” after large-scale far-right riots failed to materialise, while thousands of anti-racism protesters took to the streets in several English cities on Wednesday to oppose days of far-right violence.
In many towns and cities shops were boarded up over fears of further rioting after a week of violent disorder which started in Southport on 30 July, but in most places, planned anti-immigration protests did not take place.
The government had put 6,000 specialist police on standby to deal with the approximately 100 demonstrations by far-right activists and counter-protesters that were advertised for Wednesday.
Andy Valentine, Metropolitan police deputy assistant commissioner, said more than 1,000 officers were deployed across London “to respond to events planned across the city”.
“Two large anti-racism protests took place in Waltham Forest and Finchley. The majority of people engaged with officers and complied with conditions. These events passed without major incident or disruption. However, officers did face antisocial behaviour from a small group in Croydon who were not related to any protest, but were intent on causing trouble.”
The Metropolitan police made 15 arrests in London on Wednesday evening. In Croydon, 10 people were arrested for offences including assault on an emergency worker, breaching a section 35 dispersal order, going equipped for arson and violent disorder. The force said the arrests were not related to any protests, but that a “small group” were “intent on causing trouble”.
In Waltham Forest, two people were arrested for possession of an offensive weapon, including a lock knife and a golf club, after planned protests in the area. One person was arrested for being drunk and disorderly and one person was arrested for obstructing a section 60 search. Another person in Hounslow was also arrested for possession of an offensive weapon.
Nightly riots – during which mosques and migrant-related facilities have been attacked – have erupted across towns and cities in England and Northern Ireland fuelled by a wave of misinformation surrounding the murder of three children in Southport on 29 July.
However, on Wednesday evening, it was anti-racism and anti-fascist counter-protesters who were out in greater numbers, holding peaceful rallies in cities up and down England including London, Brighton, Birmingham, Bristol, Liverpool, Newcastle and Sheffield.
According to Stand Up to Racism, an estimated 25,000 people took to the streets to take a stand – they said – against racism and violence. This included about 8,000 in Walthamstow, 7,000 in Bristol and 2,000 in Liverpool. Similar numbers were seen in Brighton and Newcastle, the group said.
“Whose streets? Our streets!” chanted protesters at a few-thousand-strong gathering in Walthamstow, northeast London, where some held banners saying “Stop the far right”.
In Sheffield, activists chanted “Say it loud, say it clear, refugees are welcome here” as riot police looked on.
In Birmingham, hundreds of anti-racism protesters gathered outside a migrant support centre, while in Brighton, about 2,000 people took part in a peaceful demonstration, according to police.
There was some friction, however, as in the southern town of Aldershot, where PA Media reported police had to intervene between anti-racism activists and a group of people shouting “Stop the boats” – a reference to migrants who reach Britain by crossing the Channel.
Avon and Somerset police said officers made an arrest after a brick was thrown at a police vehicle during a “largely peaceful” protest in Bristol.
In Northern Ireland, Stormont MLAs will return from summer recess for an assembly sitting on Thursday to discuss scenes of violent disorder on the streets of Belfast. Police and members of the public have been attacked and two businesses owned by people from a minority ethnic background have been destroyed.
Disorder continued on Wednesday evening in Belfast. Amid a heavy police presence, there were reports of fires being set and objects thrown at Police Service of Northern Ireland officers.
MLAs at Stormont will debate a motion on Thursday condemning “criminal damage and targeting of businesses in recent days”. The motion also calls on the first minister, Michelle O’Neill, and the deputy first minister, Emma Little-Pengelly, to finalise a draft refugee integration strategy and delivery plan, bring forward a renewed race relations order, and other associated matters.
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions is set to lead a rally outside Parliament Buildings in opposition to the rioting seen in the Northern Ireland capital. The Northern Ireland secretary, Hilary Benn condemned “racist violence” in Belfast in recent days and stressed that it “does not represent Northern Ireland”.
A senior PSNI officer has said a paramilitary element is suspected of coordinating violence in Belfast. On Monday, four men linked to disorder on Saturday appeared at Belfast magistrates court, while a 15-year-old boy appeared before the same court on Wednesday charged with rioting. All were remanded.
The prime minister, Keir Starmer, has warned anyone involved will face “the full force of the law”, including those inciting violence online. Wednesday’s counter demonstrations came as those arrested over the past week continue to appear in court later this week.
With PA Media and Agence France-Presse
