Anika Begay
By Catarina Demony
LONDON (Reuters) – Britain has prepared a massive police response in case of further racist riots this weekend and the government said it was considering tougher rules on social media companies following online misinformation.
After days of riots targeting Muslims and hotels housing migrants, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Friday that more police and swift justice had deterred people he called “far-right thugs.” The violence has subsided since Wednesday.
But authorities will remain on high alert to prevent further unrest and those involved in the riots could expect to be taken to court, Starmer said, noting that what he called “significant sentences” had already been handed down.
“This is a very important part of the message to anyone who is thinking about getting involved in further disorder,” he told reporters during a visit to the police command centre in London.
Around 600 arrests have been made since riots erupted across the country after online posts mistakenly identified the alleged killer of three teenage girls in a July 29 knife attack in Southport, northwest England, as an Islamist migrant.
Protesters clashed with police, attacked mosques and smashed windows of hotels hosting asylum seekers.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) said more than 6,000 trained officers would be on duty this weekend to ensure law and order.
“This is probably one of the strongest national police responses we’ve ever had, certainly in my professional history,” said Gavin Stephens, chairman of the NPCC.
While police said it was unclear how many, if any, anti-migrant demonstrations would take place, a group called Stand Up to Racism said about 40 counterprotests would take place on Saturday.
Around 160 protests were announced on both sides on Wednesday, but only a little over 30 ultimately took place, mostly peaceful, as thousands of counter-protesters, including local residents, Muslims and anti-racist and anti-fascist groups, took to the streets to confront potential troublemakers.
More than 150 people have been charged during the riots, and dozens have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms with cases fast-tracked through the court system. Two of those convicted were jailed for inciting racial hatred in messages on X and Facebook (NASDAQ:). Police said arrests will continue for months.
TURNING POINT?
Stephens said the determined action and strong message from communities against the riots represented “potentially the start of a turning point.”
However, the first football matches of the season, which start on Saturday, could potentially pose a problem, although there is no specific information.
“Those who were intent on causing violence and destruction have not necessarily disappeared,” Stephens said.
“It is unclear whether they will choose to rally and organize this weekend to attack communities again. But we are prepared and ready to deal with it, should it show itself.”
Charges have also been filed against some people involved in the counter-protests.
A local councillor, suspended from Starmer’s Labour Party on Thursday after footage emerged of him urging people to slit the throats of “disgusting Nazi fascists”, has been charged with inciting violent disorder, prosecutors said.
Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds told Sky News that the government would review the legislative framework governing social media companies’ responsibilities over content that incites violence or hatred.
“We are ready to make changes if necessary,” he said of the Online Safety Act, which was passed in October but is not due to come into force until next year due to a consultation process.
