Riots and disorder in England and Northern Wales this week have seen police cars set on fire, shops broken into and pedestrians attacked – with more violence set to come next week.
Multiple towns and cities have seen clashes between anti-immigration demonstrators and counter-protesters, with many police officers attacked and injured.
The string of violent incidents over the past few days began on Tuesday in Southport, after three little girls were killed in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class.
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.
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.
LIVERPOOL: Police officers attend to a shell-shocked colleague after a face-off with protesters on Saturday
BRISTOL: A protester holding a piece of concrete walks towards riot police as clashes erupt in Bristol yesterday
NOTTINGHAM: Police officers detain a woman during a protest in Nottingham Market Square yesterday afternoon
LIVERPOOL: A young man throws a brick at lines of police in Liverpool on Saturday, as riots in the city close to the stabbing turned violent
LIVERPOOL: Rubble lies at the feet of police officers thrown by protesters in Liverpool, amid horrifying violence on Saturday
SUNDERLAND: A woman being arrested this morning following the violent disorder
SOUTHPORT: A rioter was hit in the head with a brick amid the chaos this week
The protester was then hit again in the crotch as he tried to escape the chaos
Another protester tried to see if he was alright after watching him get hit by a number of bricks
Photos and videos from this week show vehicles set on fire, police officers injured, bricks thrown and violent clashes between protesters and officers.
One rioter was hit in the head with a brick before being struck a second time in the crotch as he tried to escape the chaos, in footage that went viral on social media.
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’.
Prime Minister Sir 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 arrived this week.
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.
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.’
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.’
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.
LIVERPOOL: Riot police are positioned near the scene of a violent disorder on Saturday night
BLACKPOOL: An injured man is tended to after a fight broke out between anti-fascists and other people protesting in Blackpool
BLACKPOOL: A fight breaks out between anti-fascists (back to camera) and demonstrators in Blackpool
BRISTOL: A masked thug throws a beer keg at a police car in Bristol as violence spreads across the country
BRISTOL: A vandalised police vehicle which occurred during a protest in Bristol
HULL: Tyres had been set on fire as black smoke from the blaze filled the city’s streets
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.
Derek Drummond of Pool Street, Southport, has been charged with violent disorder and assault on an emergency worker. He will appear at Wirral Magistrates Court on Monday, August 5, 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.
LIVERPOOL: People react as a police officer falls while facing protesters throwing bricks and beverage cans outside the Liver Building in Liverpool
BRISTOL: Police called into action at the far-right counter demonstration in Bristol last night
BRISTOL: People carry beer kegs in Bristol as they cover their faces and a man films them
BRISTOL: A person throws a chair in Bristol amid violence on the southern city’s streets
BRISTOL: A protester throws a can of cider towards counter-protesters in Bristol
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.’
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.
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 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.’
