A protester holds a placard reading “Racists not welcome here” during a counter demonstration against an anti-immigration protest called by far-right activists in the Walthamstow suburb of London.
Photo: AFP / Benjamin Cremel
Counter-terrorism units will be assisting police as they prepare for more “disgraceful disorder” across the UK.
The fatal stabbing of three young girls in the northwest English town of Southport has been seized on by anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim groups, with disinformation spread online and amplified by high-profile far-right figures to spark disorder in towns and cities.
On Tuesday British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said violent protesters who had targeted Muslim communities would swiftly face the “full force of the law” as he sought to quell days of anti-immigration rioting.
More than 370 people had been arrested.
Speaking today, head of Counter-Terrorism Policing Assistant Commissioner Matt Jukes said: “We are supporting local forces with protective security expertise and advice.”
He added those behind the violence could be charged with terrorism offences.
“Our message to those involved in this disorder is: We are watching and we will not hesitate to use our powers to protect our communities,” Jukes said.
A person holds a placard reading ‘Southend stands against white Supremacists’ during a counter demonstration to an anti-immigration protest called by far-right activists, near an Immigration Solicitors’ office in Westcliff, near Southend-on-Sea, eastern England.
Photo: AFP / STF
Police sources said that forces are preparing to respond to more than 100 possible events and potentially 30 counter protests on Wednesday (local time).
The sources said gatherings were expected in 41 of the 43 police force areas in England and Wales.
Immigration centres and lawyers’ offices are expected to be the main focus for protests, they have said, with police resources being shared across the country as forces respond to intelligence.
Forces said that whether people were involved in criminality online or on the streets, they will be going after them.
About 1,300 more public order officers were being deployed across London ahead of possible disorder, the Met Police said.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Andy Valentine said that “mounted units, dog handlers, intelligence experts and evidence gatherers” have also been made available.
“We will be using retrospective facial recognition to help officers identify those behind criminal disorder. This technology can be used even when offenders are wearing masks,” he said.
People board up a restaurant ahead of an anti-immigration protest called by far-right activists in Birmingham, central England.
Photo: AFP / Darren Staples
Valentine urged Londoners not to share inflammatory speculation online and to give police officers space to carry out their duties.
“We also ask parents to think carefully about where their children are today and in coming days,” he said.
Thousands of counter-protesters have begun taking to the streets.
– BBC/ Reuters