Sir Keir Starmer has given the police his full support to take necessary actions to ensure the safety of the streets from violent protesters following the stabbing of three girls in Southport. The Prime Minister and senior ministers discussed the recent public disorder and unrest in various towns and cities. Sir Keir praised the police officers in Sunderland who responded to violence on Friday night and reiterated that extremists attacking police, disrupting businesses, and inciting hate should face consequences.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasized that those engaging in violent disorder will face consequences and pay the price. She assured that the police have full backing to take strong action against perpetrators, ensuring there are enough prosecutors, prison spaces, and courts prepared for arrests and prosecutions. The government is committed to supporting the police in maintaining public safety.
In Liverpool, two police officers were taken to the hospital with a suspected broken jaw and nose due to shameful levels of violence. The police faced aggression from individuals who threw various items at them, leading to multiple arrests for offenses like violent disorder and criminal damage. The police in various cities encountered bottles, bricks, and flares thrown at them, resulting in injuries and arrests.
Protests in cities like Nottingham, Leeds, Blackpool, and Hull saw clashes between different groups, with bottles, chairs, and other items being thrown. In Blackpool, skirmishes broke out between demonstrators and punks, while in Hull, officers faced eggs and bottles being thrown as they protected a hotel housing asylum seekers. The tense exchanges in Belfast between opposing groups led to arrests and injuries among officers.
The violent protests this weekend followed earlier incidents in Downing Street and Sunderland, where arrests were made due to buildings set on fire and objects thrown at officers. The riots stemmed from a tragic knife attack at a community center in Southport that claimed the lives of three girls. The suspect, Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, faced online misinformation about his background, including false claims of being an asylum seeker arriving in the UK by boat.
The government, led by Sir Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, is committed to working with the police to ensure public safety and hold perpetrators accountable for their actions. The recent spate of violent protests and disorder across the UK has prompted law enforcement agencies to take swift action and ensure that those inciting hate and violence face legal consequences. The incidents of violence and unrest highlight the need for unity and peaceful demonstrations to address grievances and concerns in a lawful manner.