UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has vowed "swift criminal sanctions" following emergency talks on the recent far-right riots across England.
These riots erupted over the murder of three children and saw violence spread from Southport, where it first broke out on Tuesday, to other regions.
During the weekend, numerous police officers were injured, and many arrests were made as rioters clashed with authorities, looted shops, and caused extensive property damage.
After meeting with ministers and police chiefs, including Scotland Yard’s Mark Rowley, Starmer announced plans to enhance the criminal justice system to ensure immediate penalties for rioters. He also mentioned the readiness of a "standing army" of specially trained police officers to support local forces in case of further unrest.
The initial violence in Southport followed the fatal stabbing of three young girls and the critical injury of five other children during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class. Although initial social media rumors falsely blamed a Muslim asylum seeker, police identified the suspect as a 17-year-old of Rwandan descent born in Wales. Despite this, mosques were targeted, and anti-immigration demonstrators clashed with police and counter-protesters, including Muslim groups.
Starmer warned rioters of severe consequences, emphasizing that criminal laws apply online and offline. Interior Minister Yvette Cooper criticized social media for exacerbating the violence, with police attributing much of the unrest to English Defence League supporters.
Significant clashes occurred in Rotherham, where rioters attacked a hotel housing asylum seekers, injuring 12 officers. Additional violence was reported in Bolton and Middlesbrough, resulting in 43 arrests. The unrest poses a significant challenge for Starmer, who has been urged to recall parliament.
Authorities attribute the riots to false rumors about suspect Axel Rudakubana. The government is now offering enhanced security to Islamic places of worship. Far-right protests, promoted under the slogan "Enough is enough," have seen participants waving national flags and chanting anti-immigration slogans. At the same time, anti-fascist groups have organized counter-demonstrations across the country.
