Keir Starmer has assured the police they have ministers’ full backing to take “all necessary action to keep our streets safe” from “thugs” who “sow hate” as violent protests erupted across the UK following the stabbing of three girls in Southport.
A Downing Street spokesperson stated the prime minister had met with senior ministers including the deputy prime minister, home secretary, justice secretary, and the policing minister to discuss the incidents of public disorder and unrest observed in towns and cities in recent days.
After thanking the police who responded to the violence in Sunderland on Friday night, which resulted in four officers being injured, Starmer said officers “have our full support to take action against extremists on our streets who are attacking police officers, disrupting local businesses, and attempting to sow hate by intimidating communities”.
“The right to freedom of expression and the violent disorder we have seen are two very different things,” he said. “There is no excuse for violence of any kind,” he reiterated, “and the government backs the police to take all necessary action to keep our streets safe.”
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said those engaging in violent disorder “will pay the price”, telling broadcasters “criminal violence and disorder have no place on Britain’s streets”.
Ms Cooper said: “We’ve made it clear to the police that they have our full backing in taking the strongest possible action against perpetrators, including ensuring that there are more prosecutors, sufficient prison places, and that the courts stand ready because anyone who engages in this kind of disorder needs to be clear that they will pay the price.” She promised to work with forces to help ensure “consequences, arrests and prosecutions” for those responsible.
Muslim boy attacked by cowardly mob of boys
Just received this video from one of the community WhatsApp groups.
— Loujane لوجين (@loujanealasi) August 3, 2024
Cowgate, Newcastle
Sickening, scary & traumatising@Taj_Ali1 pic.twitter.com/Y1FG2DFFqK
Protesters threw bottles, chairs, and bricks at police during clashes with officers in towns and cities in England and Northern Ireland on Saturday.
A number of officers were injured during “serious disorder” in Liverpool city centre, Merseyside Police said, with one officer being hit on the head by a chair. Bricks, bottles, and a flare were also thrown at officers as they lined The Strand in the city centre. Another officer was kicked and knocked off his motorcycle by a demonstrator, while others tried to kick riot shields.
In Hull, four people have been arrested as three officers were hurt during a protest in which a group of people targeted a hotel housing asylum seekers. Humberside Police Chief Superintendent Darren Wildbore said officers had “faced eggs and bottles being thrown” as windows were smashed at the hotel housing migrants.
Four men were arrested after bricks were thrown at officers in Stoke-on-Trent, and fireworks were thrown amid tense exchanges between an anti-Islamic group and an anti-racism rally in Belfast.
At least three people were arrested in Nottingham as scuffles broke out between opposing groups in the city’s Market Square. Bottles and other items were thrown from both sides, with chants of “England till I die” and “Tommy Robinson” drowned out by boos from counter-protesters.
In Leeds, around 150 people carrying St George’s flags shouting “You’re not English any more” and “Paedo Muslims off our street” were greatly outnumbered by hundreds of counter-protesters shouting “Nazi scum off our streets”.
Skirmishes broke out between demonstrators and punks in Blackpool, with bottles and chairs being thrown and wood wielded.
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