The policing minister has said rioting thugs will get a ‘knock on their door’ from officers and insisted there is ‘no need’ to bring in the Army to help.
More than 100 people have now been arrested across the country after riots broke out between anti-immigration demonstrators and counter-protesters this week, with the chaos set to continue in the coming days.
The disruption began on Tuesday in Southport, after three little girls were killed in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class.
Policing minister Diana Johnson, Labour MP for Hull North and Cottingham, has condemned the violence after more police officers were injured in last night’s riots.
The MP said rioters should expect to be punished accordingly for the violent outbreaks, telling Times Radio: ‘People need to be aware if they were looting, there will be a knock on their door, they will be brought before the police and the court and there will be consequences.
‘I want people punished for causing mayhem and disruption to our communities. We need to stamp on that small minority who have engaged in dreadful violent disorder on our streets.’
Policing minister Diana Johnson, Labour MP for Hull North and Cottingham, has condemned the violence after more police officers were injured in last night’s riots
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
LIVERPOOL: Riot police are positioned near the scene of a violent disorder on County Road in Liverpool
Asked whether the Government would draft in the military to help respond, Dame Johnson told BBC News: ‘There is no need to bring in the Army and there has been no discussion about that.
‘As I say, the police have made it very clear that they have all the resources they need at the moment… they have the powers that they need.’
Technology Secretary Peter Kyle has been having discussions with social media companies about misinformation spread online, Dame Diana said.
‘Obviously we need to do more because you’re absolutely right there has been that spread of misinformation which has caused problems this week,’ she said.
Britain was ablaze again last night as far-right thugs took to the streets to torch buildings and loot shops in another night of violent chaos.
Anarchy descended onto the streets of Liverpool, Hull, Manchester and Belfast as riots broke out once more, with police forces across the country bracing for disorder again tonight.
A community library on the Merseyside that only opened last year after months of fundraising was set on fire as more than 300 people descended on the streets of a deprived city suburb.
NOTTINGHAM: Police officers detain a woman during a protest in Nottingham Market Square yesterday afternoon
LIVERPOOL: Rubble lies at the feet of police officers thrown by protesters in Liverpool, amid horrifying violence on Saturday
As firefighters tried to put on the flames that engulfed Spellow Lane Library Hub – which also functions as a food bank – rioters threw a missile at the engine, before breaking the rear window of a nearby cab.
Shocking photos from this morning show the burnt out interior of the library, with bookshelves tipped on their side, and glass surrounding the remaining computers.
One officer was shoved off his motorbike while another was looked after by colleagues after appearing shell-shocked following a violent confrontation with a protester.
Elsewhere, shameless looters took advantage of the violent mayhem, stealing everything from phones, shoes and wine from local shops.
