Rioting and unrest continued Monday across the United Kingdom, with numerous towns and cities reeling from the ongoing violence. The disorder prompted Prime Minister Keir Starmer to condemn the riots as”far-right thuggery.”
Several countries, including Australia, Nigeria, Malaysia and Kenya have issued warnings to their citizens in or travelling to the UK following the riots, with the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stating that there is an “increased risk of violence and disorder occasioned by the recent riots in the UK” with “particular emphasis on Muslim immigrants or persons of colour being targeted.” On Monday evening, police in Plymouth were monitoring two rival protests and other forces around the country were on high alert.
The rioting was triggered by a mass stabbing incident last Tuesday in Southport where three young girls were killed. A 17-year-old was charged with the murders at Liverpool Magistrates Court, along with 10 counts of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article. Following the attack, misinformation was allegedly spread online about the perpetrator and violent protesters gathered in the town of Southport, attacking the local mosque, throwing bricks and setting fires. According to Merseyside Police, over 50 officers were injured in the riots, and they instituted a Section 60 order. Under Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, police are allowed to search individuals without reasonable grounds. It is applied in a specific, defined area for a specific amount of time and can only be activated by a senior officer if they believe there is a potential for serious violence. Further Section 60 orders were introduced yesterday in Liverpool and Southport.
In the days following the Southport riots, the disorder spread to other towns and cities across the UK, including London and Manchester. Police in the South Yorkshire town of Rotherham responded to rioters who were attempting to set fire to a hotel housing asylum seekers. Assistant Chief Constable Lindsey Butterfield said of the incident:
There was a particularly sickening moment when a wheelie bin was pushed up against the hotel and set on fire, with the clear intent to cause serious harm to all those inside. It was known there were people residing and working in the hotel, but the mindless individuals responsible had absolutely no regard for their safety.
Similar scenes occurred in Staffordshire and Middlesbrough, with rioters setting fires, smashing windows and attacking officers. The National Police Chiefs’ Council said in a statement Monday that 378 people have been arrested across the country in relation to the riots.
UK for UNHCR said that they were “shocked by the violence witnessed in the UK over the past few days, including targeted attacks against asylum seekers.” “The spread of disinformation and misinformation, fuelled by hatred and prejudice, has real-life consequences and must be addressed,” they continued.
The Prime Minister issued a warning that people “whipping up this action online” would “regret taking part in this disorder.” Number 10 Downing Street condemned remarks made by X owner Elon Musk when he said that “civil war is inevitable” in the UK.
