LONDON (AFP) — UK police are preparing for more far-right protests across England after three nights of rioting linked to false information about a mass stabbing that killed three young girls.
The violence has led to numerous arrests and has put Britain’s Muslim community on high alert. This situation is the biggest challenge yet for Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has been in office for just one month.
The unrest has brought attention to hard-right agitators connected to soccer hooliganism, especially at a time when anti-immigration views are gaining some political traction. Police are bracing for more demonstrations after facing “serious and sustained levels of violence” during rioting in Sunderland, northeast England, on Friday night.
Violent Riots and Arrests
In Sunderland, eight people were arrested, and three officers needed hospital treatment following hours of chaos. Two officers remained hospitalized as of early Saturday. Footage from the BBC showed hundreds of people rampaging through Sunderland’s city center, attacking police and setting fire to a car and a building near a police station. Other social media images showed masked youths throwing bricks and fireworks.
Northumbria Police Chief Superintendent Helena Barron condemned the violence, calling it “utterly deplorable” and stating that such “disorder, violence and damage” would not be tolerated.
Misinformation and Social Media
The unrest began after Monday’s knife attack in Southport, near Liverpool, where British-born 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana was charged with multiple counts of murder and attempted murder. False rumors on social media about his background fueled the riots.
After violence erupted in Southport on Tuesday, disturbances spread to Hartlepool, Manchester, and London, where 111 people were arrested near Prime Minister Starmer’s Downing Street residence.
Targeting Mosques and Anti-Islam Sentiments
In Southport, rioters threw bricks at a mosque, leading to increased security at Muslim places of worship nationwide. Police linked the violence to supporters of the disbanded English Defence League, an anti-Islam group with ties to soccer hooliganism. In Sunderland, rioters targeted a mosque, set fire to a police station, and two cars.
Planned Protests and Government Response
Anti-racism group Hope Not Hate identified more than 30 planned events for the weekend. Far-right groups have promoted “enough is enough” anti-immigrant rallies, while anti-fascism groups plan counter-protests.
The Metropolitan Police in London prepared for rival protests, including pro-Palestinian and anti-immigration demonstrations. Counter protests were expected in Nottingham, and South Yorkshire police anticipated a protest in Rotherham.
Prime Minister Starmer accused “thugs” of exploiting the nation’s grief to “sow hatred” and promised that anyone engaging in violence would “face the full force of the law.” He announced measures to share intelligence, use facial-recognition technology, and impose criminal behavior orders to prevent troublemakers from traveling.
Labour politicians have blamed Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform UK party, for inciting trouble. Farage’s party, which has strong anti-immigrant views, captured 14 percent of the vote in last month’s election, one of the highest vote shares for a far-right British party.