UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledged on Thursday to continue vigorous efforts to prevent further far-right riots in English towns and cities, as more individuals were convicted for their roles in the unrest.
Starmer convened another emergency meeting with senior ministers and police leaders later that day to prepare for possible disturbances in the “coming days.” Top police official Gavin Stephens cautioned that those “intent on violence and destruction” remain active.
Starmer emphasized that the criminal justice system would persist in “working swiftly” to prosecute those already arrested during the recent week of near-nightly riots across England and Northern Ireland.
Following another night of unrest in Belfast, which saw five arrests and an injured police officer, Northern Ireland’s devolved assembly was recalled from its summer break. Local police attributed the violence to pro-UK loyalist paramilitaries.
In England, police reported nearly 500 arrests related to the unrest, with several individuals jailed in Liverpool for their involvement. The riots, initially sparked by a July 29 knife attack that claimed the lives of three children, have led to attacks on mosques, migrant facilities, police, and other targets. Misinformation about the suspected perpetrator spread on social media has been blamed for escalating the disorder.
During a visit to a mosque and community leaders in Solihull, western England, Starmer stressed the importance of maintaining efforts against the unrest. He praised the police’s strategic deployment, which helped to calm the situation overnight.
Wednesday evening saw a shift away from far-right gatherings to peaceful anti-racism and anti-fascism protests in cities including London, Birmingham, Bristol, Liverpool, and Newcastle. In Walthamstow, northeast London, thousands of pro-Palestinian supporters joined a peaceful rally under heavy police presence.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan expressed gratitude to “thousands of Londoners” who stood against racism and the “heroic police force” for their efforts. However, the Metropolitan Police are investigating a video from the Walthamstow event where a suspended Labour councillor reportedly called for violence against far-right rioters. A man in his 50s has been arrested in connection with the video.
The UK government has placed 6,000 specialist police on standby across England to manage potential flashpoints, as far-right social media channels have called for attacks on immigration-related sites.
Metropolitan Police chief Mark Rowley praised both the police’s “show of force” and the “unity from communities.” Although there were a few arrests for anti-social behavior, fears of extreme-right disorder have been mitigated. The National Police Chiefs’ Council reported that 483 people had been arrested since the unrest began on July 30, with 149 charges filed, a number expected to rise significantly.
London police made 10 additional arrests overnight, a week after protests outside Downing Street in Westminster turned violent. Rowley described those arrested as “thugs and criminals,” noting many had prior convictions for serious offenses.
The riots, Britain’s worst since the 2011 London riots, were triggered by the tragic deaths of three young girls in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport, northwest England. Initial false reports suggested the suspect was an illegal immigrant and a Muslim. The actual suspect, 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana, was later identified as a Welsh-born individual with Rwandan Christian parents.
The unrest has prompted several countries to issue travel warnings for the UK.
