Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announces new mobile police force and intensifies measures against far-right violence as rioters target key sites across the UK

In a decisive move to combat the ongoing far-right violence across the UK, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has ordered the establishment of a new “standing army” of specialist police officers. This unprecedented deployment of resources comes in response to a week of escalating riots and attacks by far-right groups targeting immigration and law centres.

The initiative was revealed following an emergency Cobra committee meeting chaired by Starmer, with contributions from Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, and senior police officials including Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley. The committee’s primary focus was on addressing the recent surge in violence and ensuring a robust response.

Reports indicate that far-right groups are planning to target 30 immigration and law centres on Thursday, with addresses circulated via the messaging platform Telegram. The new mobile police force will support the 24 existing police forces across the UK, which have struggled to manage the scale of the unrest. This deployment marks a rare use of special emergency powers, reminiscent of the Ridley Plan employed during the miners’ strike in the 1980s.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has vowed a “reckoning” for those involved in the violence. Over the weekend, nearly 400 people were arrested as far-right violence spread from Southport to cities including Liverpool, Hull, London, Rotherham, and Tamworth. The unrest initially erupted following misinformation about the alleged attacker in a high-profile knife attack, which fueled widespread outrage and attacks on various targets.

The new force will provide specialist support to police operations, focusing on managing and mitigating civil unrest. Starmer emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “We will have enough officers to deal with this where we need them,” and announced plans to ramp up the criminal justice response, including early identification and naming of those involved in the violence.

The riots have seen incidents such as attacks on hotels housing asylum seekers and damage to public property. In response, the government has allocated £29 million for the protection of mosques and other vulnerable sites.

The court system has been swiftly addressing the fallout from the riots, with emergency sessions handling cases of alleged rioters as young as 14. One such case involved a teenager in Liverpool who pleaded guilty to violent disorder after aiming fireworks at police. The judiciary has been under pressure to expedite proceedings and address the scale of the violence.

Amid these developments, Chief Constable Gavin Stephens reported 378 arrests so far, with expectations for this number to rise. The National Police Chiefs’ Council and the Police Federation have highlighted the intense strain on officers, many of whom are working extended shifts under challenging conditions.

The Prime Minister’s announcement follows increasing calls for more decisive action to restore order and address the far-right threat. Despite mounting pressure, the government has resisted calls to recall Parliament, maintaining focus on immediate law enforcement responses and judicial measures.

The Independent

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced the creation of a “standing army” of specialist police officers to tackle escalating far-right violence across the UK. This measure follows severe riots in multiple cities, including Southport, Liverpool, and Rotherham, triggered by misinformation about a knife attack in Southport.

The new mobile police force, activated under special emergency powers, aims to provide additional support to local police forces overwhelmed by the scale of the unrest. The initiative comes after a Cobra committee meeting with senior officials, including Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper.

Far-right groups have targeted mosques, immigration centres, and asylum seeker accommodations. Nearly 400 people have been arrested, with cases being expedited through the courts. Starmer and Cooper have pledged rigorous legal action against those involved, emphasizing the need for justice and the identification of perpetrators.

The violence, which includes attacks on properties and clashes with police, has strained police resources, with officers working extended shifts. Chief Constable Gavin Stephens reported ongoing efforts to arrest and charge those responsible. Despite the unrest, Starmer has resisted recalling Parliament, while Northern Ireland’s Stormont Assembly has been reconvened to address related issues.

The government has also allocated £29 million for enhanced protection of mosques, reflecting the increasing focus on safeguarding affected communities.

Sky News

In Plymouth, tensions flared between anti-immigration protesters and counter-protesters, leading to significant violence. Riot police, deployed in large numbers, faced intense clashes involving bricks, fireworks, and bottles. Several officers were injured, and six arrests were made. Police described the violence as “sustained” and “off the scale,” with over 150 officers working to control the situation.

In Belfast, unrest continued with riots marked by petrol bombs and missiles targeting police. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) reported the burning of at least one police car and warned the public to avoid certain areas. The violence has involved numerous individuals wearing balaclavas, intensifying the disorder in the southern parts of the city.

The UK government is addressing the role of disinformation in fueling these riots. Technology Secretary Peter Kyle met with representatives from major social media platforms, urging them to combat the spread of hateful and inciting content. The government is also investigating the possible involvement of state actors in amplifying false information about the riots.

In response to the widespread unrest, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced the creation of a “standing army” of specialist police officers to bolster efforts against far-right and anti-immigration violence. Nearly 400 people have been arrested in connection with the riots. The government’s measures include increased police resources and ongoing investigations into online disinformation.

Local responses have varied, with Plymouth MP Luke Pollard condemning the violence and expressing gratitude to local services and police for their efforts. The situation remains dynamic, with authorities working to manage the unrest and address its underlying causes.

The Guardian

Over the past week, the UK has experienced the worst civil unrest in 13 years, with riots spreading across England and Northern Ireland. The disturbances began following the stabbing deaths of three young girls in Southport on July 29, 2024. The victims were Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine. The accused, 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana, has been charged with murder and attempted murder. False claims circulated online suggesting that Rudakubana was a Muslim asylum seeker, which spurred far-right protests and counter-protests across the country.

The riots first erupted in Southport, where clashes targeted a nearby mosque, injuring over 50 officers. The violence quickly spread to cities including London, Manchester, and Liverpool. Over the weekend, riots intensified in other areas, including Blackpool, Hull, and Belfast. Key incidents included attacks on hotels housing asylum seekers in Rotherham and Tamworth, and vandalism in Middlesbrough.

Approximately 378 people have been arrested, with thousands participating in the unrest. Authorities are reviewing footage to identify individuals involved in the violence. High-profile figures, such as Andrew Tate and Elon Musk, have been criticized for spreading misinformation that may have fueled tensions. The UK government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, has responded with increased police presence and urgent protective measures for mosques. The courts are prepared for rapid proceedings against those involved in the riots. International safety warnings have been issued by countries including Nigeria, Malaysia, and Indonesia due to the unrest.

BBC

The UK continues to grapple with widespread unrest, with new incidents reported in cities including Belfast, Darlington, and Plymouth. On Monday night, violence flared up in these areas, adding to the already significant toll of the riots. In Plymouth, police faced attacks from protesters, resulting in several minor injuries and six arrests. In Belfast, officers contended with stones and petrol bombs, with damage reported to local businesses. A vigil in Southport for the stabbing victims provided a stark contrast to the ongoing violence, as the community came together to remember Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar.

The unrest began following the stabbing deaths of the three young girls in Southport on July 29. The accused, Axel Rudakubana, has been charged with multiple counts including murder. False claims that Rudakubana was a Muslim asylum seeker fueled far-right and anti-immigration protests, leading to clashes across various cities.

In addition to the violence in Plymouth and Belfast, disturbances were reported in Birmingham and Darlington. In Birmingham, a gathering was marred by reports of criminal damage and assaults. In Darlington, small-scale violence involved brick-throwing at officers. The total number of arrests since the riots began has reached 378.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has condemned the riots as “far-right thuggery” and announced a “standing army” of specialist officers to address the violence. Although the government has rejected calls to recall Parliament early, it continues to collaborate with social media platforms to curb misinformation. Starmer has stressed that the violence is unacceptable and vowed that criminal actions will be met with swift justice.