The UK government is set to hold an emergency COBRA meeting in response to a surge of violent protests that erupted across multiple towns and cities over the weekend. More than 150 arrests were made following riots that have been described as the worst in the UK in 13 years.
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More than 90 people were arrested after protests organized by far-right groups descended into riots across UK towns and cities on Saturday.
The violence was triggered by the stabbing of three young girls in Southport, northwest England, earlier in the week.
False claims circulated that the attacker was an immigrant, fueling anti-immigrant sentiment. Riots occurred in Hull, Liverpool, Bristol, Manchester, Stoke-on-Trent, Blackpool and Belfast. Smaller protests in other areas remained peaceful.
In Liverpool, protesters clashed with police, throwing bricks, bottles and a flare. Two officers were hospitalized with injuries.
In Bristol, protesters and counter-protesters engaged in a standoff with some chanting nationalist slogans and others calling for tolerance and unity.
In Hull, protesters smashed windows at a hotel housing asylum seekers, ransacked shops and set items on fire. In Blackpool, protesters faced off against attendees of the Rebellion Festival resulting in skirmishes and arrests.
The spread of misinformation on social media played a huge role. False claims about the Southport incident contributed to the rise in anti-immigrant sentiment.
Joe Mulhall, Director of Research at Hope Not Hate, said that platforms like X have become central spaces for spreading disinformation and organizing protests.
Key figures in the far-right movement such as Stephen Lennon, have regained access to social media platforms enabling them to reach a wider audience with their divisive rhetoric.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the violence labeling it as far-right thuggery and addressing that the rioters do not represent the values of the UK.
Starmer pledged the government’s full support to law enforcement agencies to take action against those responsible for the violence.
Police forces across the country have been instructed to adopt a nick them quick approach, focusing on swift arrests and charges to deter further unrest.
An additional 70 prosecutors have been placed on standby to handle cases related to the violent disorder.
Violent demonstrations took place in Rotherham, Middlesbrough, Bolton and other parts of the UK. The protests have been linked to anti-immigrant sentiments and far-right extremist groups.
Protesters targeted hotels housing asylum seekers.
A major hotspot of protest was the Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham, where hundreds of protesters gathered.
Demonstrators hurled bricks, wood and other objects at police, setting trash bins on fire and damaging property. Several police officers were injured with one left unconscious due to head injuries.
A second hotel in Tamworth faced similar attacks with rioters smashing windows, throwing projectiles and injuring a police officer.
The scenes were described as utterly appalling by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper.
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Violence also broke out in Middlesbrough, where rioters smashed car windows and attacked police officers.
In Bolton, tensions flared as anti-immigrant protesters clashed with a group of masked individuals chanting Allahu Akbar.
Downing Street has announced a COBRA meeting on Monday. COBRA, or Cabinet Office Briefing Room A, is an emergency committee comprising ministers, civil servants, police, intelligence officers and other relevant stakeholders.
The meeting aims to provide the government with updates on the unrest and strategize an effective response.
In a televised address, Starmer highlighted the targeting of Muslim communities, attacks on mosques and the use of Nazi salutes by protesters.
He reassured minority communities that the violent mob does not represent the UK and vowed to hold rioters accountable.
Police forces across the UK have implemented measures to control the situation. Greater Manchester Police issued a Section 60AA order in Bolton requiring people to remove face coverings used to disguise their identities.
The government is considering fast-tracking prosecutions and deploying additional officers to manage the unrest.
The violence follows the stabbing deaths of three young girls in Southport last week. The suspect, a 17-year-old British-born named Axel Rudakubana and was falsely identified as a Muslim immigrant on social media.
Far-right groups have used phrases like “enough is enough,” “save our kids,” and “stop the boats” to rally support against immigrants and asylum seekers.
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