Britain takes steps to prevent racist riots restarting at the weekend
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People walk past a car that was set on fire following anti-immigration protests and counter-protests, in Belfast.
PHOTO: REUTERS
LONDON – Britain mobilised 1,000 extra specialised police officers in case of racist rioting at the weekend, and the government said it was considering tightening regulations around social media companies after days of unrest driven by online misinformation.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said extra police numbers and swift justice have deterred people he referred to as “far-right thugs” since Aug 7, but that the authorities would remain on high alert for further trouble.
Racist attacks and disorder have mostly targeted Muslims and migrants. Hotels housing asylum-seekers have had their windows smashed, and mosques have been pelted with rocks.
Those involved in the riots could expect to be brought before the courts, Mr Starmer said, noting that what he called “significant sentences” have already been handed out.
“That is a very important part of the message to anybody who is thinking about getting involved in further disorder,” he said.
More than 480 people have been arrested so far for involvement in attacks on Muslim, immigration and other sites, as well as police and passers-by since late in July, with a 13-year-old among nearly 150 charged.
Data released on Aug 9 by the Justice Ministry showed that more than 150 of those arrested have already appeared in court. Dozens have already been jailed with cases fast-tracked through the justice system and more due to be sentenced on Aug 9.
The riots broke out across Britain after a wave of false online posts wrongly identified the suspected killer of three young girls in a knife attack on July 29 in Southport, north-west England, as an Islamist migrant.
Cabinet Office Minister Nick Thomas–Symonds told Sky News earlier on Aug 9 that 1,000 extra specialised police officers were mobilised across the country ahead of the weekend.
He also said the government would revisit the framework of the country’s Online Safety Act that regulates social media companies’ responsibilities regarding content inciting violence or hate.
“We stand ready to make changes if necessary,” he said of the law, passed in October but not due to come into effect until 2025 due to a consultation process.
Predicted widespread far-right riots failed to materialise on Aug 7, when thousands of counter-protesters took to the streets across Britain, giving hope to the authorities and worried community leaders that the disorder was fizzling out.
“We have to stay on high alert going into this weekend,” Mr Starmer told reporters.
It is not clear how many far-right gatherings are planned or if they will go ahead.
There are around 40 counter-protests due on Aug 10, according to the Stand Up to Racism group. REUTERS
