Dozens of arrests were made following scenes of disorder in England and Northern Ireland on Saturday, with police warning that further violence is likely in the coming days.
Multiple towns and cities saw clashes between anti-immigration demonstrators and counter-protesters, with police officers attacked and injured, and many more arrests promised.
The string of violent incidents over the past few days began on Tuesday in Southport, after three girls were killed in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed event.
On Saturday, businesses were targeted in Belfast where police mounted a significant security operation during a lengthy confrontation between anti-Islamic protesters and those taking part in an anti-racist rally at Belfast City Hall during which fireworks and other missiles were thrown.
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Northern Ireland’s Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said “violence is not acceptable”.
“Northern Ireland must always be a place that protects the right to protest, the right to have a view and to express it,” she posted on X.
“Let’s be VERY clear – violence is not acceptable. It never was and it is not now. No one, NO ONE, has the right to express hate and violence. Stop it now.”
UK home secretary Yvette Cooper said people involved in the clashes “will pay the price” and that “criminal violence and disorder has no place on Britain’s streets”.
UK prime minister Keir Starmer said the police have his “full support” to take action against “extremists” attempting to “sow hate” by intimidating communities as he held emergency talks with ministers over the unrest in parts of England.
The far right has drawn condemnation from MPs across the political spectrum after disorder in London, Manchester, Southport and Hartlepool came before Saturday’s violence.
Arrests have been made across the country with police warning of more to come once CCTV, social media and body-worn camera footage has been scoured.
UK justice secretary Shabana Mahmood told ministers “the whole justice system is ready to deliver convictions as quickly as possible”, a Downing Street spokesperson said, which could see courts sitting for 24 hours a day as they did for the 2011 riots, according to one report.
There was violence on Saturday in towns and cities such as Hull, Liverpool, Stoke-on-Trent, Nottingham, Bristol, Manchester, Blackpool and Belfast which saw several police officers injured.
It followed a riot in Sunderland on Friday evening.
Culture secretary Lisa Nandy said anyone who attacks police “should be ashamed”.
She wrote on X: “I cannot thank our local police enough for everything they’re doing to keep people safe.
“They were among the first on the scene when the horrendous incident unfolded in Southport.
“They run into danger to keep us safe, and those who attack them should be ashamed.”
In Liverpool, Merseyside police said about 300 people were involved in violent disorder on County Road, Walton, which included community facilities being set on fire.
The Spellow Lane Library Hub, which was opened last year to provide support for one of the most deprived communities in the country, suffered severe damage to the ground floor.
Police said rioters tried to prevent firefighters from accessing the fire, throwing a missile at the fire engine and breaking the rear window of the cab.
A total of 23 people were arrested on Saturday, Merseyside police said, including 12 arrests for the disorder in the city centre, nine arrests for the disorder on County Road and two arrests in connection with the disorder in Southport.
One officer was kicked and knocked off his motorcycle by a demonstrator and others tried to kick riot shields.
Assistant chief constable Alex Goss called the behaviour of protesters “deplorable”, adding: “The impact of the disorder will be devastating for the people of Walton, but I promise that we are doing everything in our power to arrest those involved and bring them to justice.”
Merseyside police also said a 58-year-old man has been charged with two offences following the violent disorder in Southport on Tuesday.
The man has been charged with violent disorder and assault on an emergency worker. He will appear at Wirral Magistrates Court on Monday, August 5th, police said.
In Hull, Humberside police said there were 20 people arrested, three police officers injured and shops looted and burned after a mob attacked a hotel housing asylum seekers.
Assistant chief constable Mike Walker said: “The right to lawful protest is a part of democracy, which my officers upheld, however, we will not accept the senseless vandalism, antisocial behaviour and sheer violence that has been brought to our streets.”
In Bristol, police made 14 arrests because of violent disorder in the city centre, which Avon and Somerset police described as “completely unacceptable”.
Lancashire police said more than 20 people were arrested and dispersal orders were issued in parts of Blackpool, Preston and Blackburn.
And Staffordshire police said 10 people were also arrested following disorder in Stoke-on-Trent.
Further protests are planned for Sunday and more trouble is likely in the coming days, police said.
“We know people will try and do this again and policing has been and will continue to be ready,” said chief constable BJ Harrington, who speaks on public order for the UK’s National Police Chiefs’ Council.
“There are 130 extra units in place across the country, meaning almost 4,000 extra public order-trained officers to deploy.
“So if you’re planning to cause trouble and disorder our message is very simple – we’ll be watching you.” – PA