483 arrested, 149 charged in UK far-right riots

Estimated 104 officers have been injured, with many hospitalized, says National Police Chiefs' Council

LONDON:

A total of 483 people have been arrested while 149 charges have been brought in far-right riots across the UK since July 30, the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) said Thursday. 

NPCC said in a statement that dozens of offenders have already been sentenced as cases have been fast-tracked through the criminal justice system, with many suspects remanded upon charge to face hearings.

The statement noted that thousands of police officers were deployed across the country late Wednesday and 36 gatherings took place with "minimal disorder and only a handful of arrests."

"An estimated 104 officers have been injured so far, with many hospitalised due to the extent of their injuries," it said.

Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, chair of the NOCC, said police action "continues at full speed" as the number of people arrested and charged in relation to the disorder reaches hundreds.

"This is a worrying time for communities and hugely challenging for everyone involved. There has been incredible unity displayed across the country and this is how we tackle division, by standing together. Policing as a whole will continue to do its utmost to keep you safe," he said.

Stephen Parkinson, director of Public Prosecutions, said: "By the hour, further charges are being authorised, significant sentences of imprisonment are being passed, and justice continues to be served after an extremely difficult period for the country.”

The UK has been rocked by turmoil with violent far-right rioters spewing racist and Islamophobic vitriol targeting Muslims, minority groups and migrants.

The riots were fueled by false claims spread online that a suspect arrested for the July 29 fatal stabbing of three children in Southport was a Muslim asylum seeker.

Authorities have since identified the attacker as Axel Rudakubana, a 17-year-old who was born in Cardiff, Wales, to Rwandan parents, but that has done little to deter far-right mobs.