UK readies for increasing anti-Muslim, anti-immigrant unrest
A police officer walks outside the Holiday Inn Express hotel after rioters attacked the building in Rotherham, Britain on August 5, 2024. The government had said it was being used by asylum seekers. Photo Reuters
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that a sufficient police presence will be maintained to manage anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant riots that are expected to continue.
The statement came as Starmer sought to reassure communities fearing more violent protests on Wednesday.
The unrest began after false information spread on social media, incorrectly identifying the suspect in the murder of three girls at a Taylor Swift-themed event in Southport, northwest England, as an Muslim migrant. This misinformation has triggered riots across several towns and cities, with rioters attacking mosques and vandalising hotels housing asylum-seekers from Africa and the Middle East, chanting anti-immigrant slogans. This is the first widespread outbreak of violence in Britain in 13 years.
Online threats have also indicated that immigration centres and law firms assisting migrants may be targeted on Wednesday. In response, anti-fascist groups have pledged to counter any demonstrations.
Following an emergency meeting with ministers and police chiefs, Starmer assured the public that the police are prepared to handle any further unrest. "Our first duty is to ensure our communities are safe," Starmer said, emphasizing that the government is doing everything possible to ensure police and support are in place where needed.
Despite the challenges posed by protests occurring in multiple locations, Starmer expressed confidence that the police could manage any disorder. In anticipation of continued unrest, the government has increased prison capacity to accommodate the high number of arrests.
More than 400 individuals have been arrested so far, with 100 charged, and sentencing is expected to begin soon.
Starmer warned that those participating in the disorder will face the full force of the law. Three individuals are scheduled for sentencing on Wednesday in Liverpool after pleading guilty to violent disorder.
The justice department has announced plans to release some prisoners early due to overcrowding and has secured nearly 600 additional prison places for those involved in the riots. The ongoing violence has led countries like India, Australia, and Nigeria to issue warnings to their citizens about traveling to Britain.
Starmer has promised consequences for those involved in the riots, which have included throwing bricks at police, clashing with counter-protesters, looting shops, and burning cars. Police have charged a 28-year-old man with inciting racial hatred through Facebook posts related to the unrest, and a 14-year-old has pleaded guilty to violent disorder.
Recent riots occurred on Monday night in Plymouth, southern England, and Belfast, Northern Ireland, where rioters used petrol bombs and masonry against officers and set a police vehicle on fire. Police attribute the violence to online misinformation, which high-profile figures have amplified.
At the end of December 2023, Britain had 111,132 people receiving asylum support, with 45,768 living in hotels. The government estimated net migration to be 685,000 that year.
Experts suggest far-right agitators have exploited the Southport killings to incite violence against asylum seekers and Muslims.
Sunder Katwala, director of the British Future think tank, noted that the attacks were falsely used to mobilise against these groups, despite evidence showing that the suspect is neither an asylum seeker nor a Muslim.
The police confirmed that the attack was not terrorism-related, and the suspect was born in Britain, with media reports stating that the suspect's parents are from Rwanda, a predominantly Christian country.
According to a YouGov poll on Tuesday, 75 per cent of respondents said the rioters did not represent British views, while 7 per cent supported the violence.