On Wednesday, thousands of UK riot police were prepared to handle potential outbreaks of violence that started over a week ago following the murder of three children.
Far-right groups have organized demonstrations in over 30 locations, targeting immigration lawyers and buildings housing asylum seekers, as revealed in leaked messages on Telegram.
The government has announced that 6,000 specialist police officers are being mobilized to address the worst disorder in England in more than a decade, resulting in hundreds of arrests and over 100 charged.
The initial violence occurred after three young girls were killed and several more children were critically injured during a knife attack at a dance class in Southport, north west England.
Initially, false rumors circulated on social media claiming the attacker was a Muslim asylum seeker, but the suspect was later identified as 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana, born in Wales with Rwandan parents.
Despite the police clarifications, the initial unrest in Southport focused on a local mosque, sparking widespread violence across England and Northern Ireland.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer issued a warning on Tuesday that anyone involved would face legal consequences, including those inciting violence online.
Starmer, a former chief state prosecutor, stated that he expected substantial sentencing for the rioters by the end of the week, following his emergency meetings.
The recent unrest in Britain, the worst since the 2011 London riots, has prompted several countries to caution their citizens about travel in the UK.
– Musk row –
Rioting in multiple cities involved demonstrators throwing objects at police, burning cars, and targeting mosques and hotels housing asylum seekers.
Several alleged perpetrators appeared in court on Tuesday, with some pleading guilty to their offenses.
The government, just a month old, has promised a tough stance against the disorder.
Justice minister Heidi Alexander mentioned on the BBC that the government had allocated an additional 500 prison spaces.
The disorder has been attributed to individuals associated with the now-defunct English Defence League, a far-right organization linked to football hooliganism.
Interior minister Yvette Cooper stated that there will be consequences for the perpetrators, emphasizing the role of social media in fueling the violence.
Tech billionaire Elon Musk further escalated tension with the UK government by comparing Britain to the Soviet Union, sparking criticism from officials.
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