by There have been protests across Wales following the killing of three young girls in Southport. On Monday, the demonstrations entered their seventh day with large gatherings in Plymouth, Birmingham, Belfast and Darlington.
Following the protests, the Government’s independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, Jonathan Hall KC, has said politicians should not rush to classify the riots as terrorism.
In an exclusive Telegraph poll of more than 28,000 readers, 88 per cent agreed with Mr Hall, who told the BBC’s Today programme: “I think you have to be careful about applying counter-terrorism to a live incident effectively, it could be incisive. .”
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Reader Cliff Buck also raised concerns about the term terrorism: “The surest way to foster real terrorism is to label people with legitimate grievances as terrorists.
“Haven’t any lessons been learned from where this has happened in the past?” asked Mr. Buck.
“Terrorism charges are a very powerful tool and should not be so stupidly devalued,” began an anonymous Telegraph reader, who added: “Classifying crimes as terrorism allows for long detentions without trial and longer sentences intensity.”
ACH Melchett said that “terrorism requires a political aim,” and did not believe that most rioters were “bright enough or knowledgeable enough to have a political aim. They were just the bottom of the barrel out for pickup”.
‘There is no justification for the mindless riots’
Some readers suggested that if the rioters’ actions met the threshold of terrorism, they should be treated as such.
Thomas Shepherd gave the example: “If you throw a brick at the police because you want limited and controlled immigration, you risk prosecution under terrorism laws.”
He added: “Just because you sympathize with these people doesn’t change this simple fact.”
Another reader shared the same view: “There is no need to change any laws to categorize this as terrorism. If the violence meets the threshold, the police should prosecute accordingly.
“Obviously this would apply to those who attacked the mosque and the hotel.”
M. Whitehouse argued: “Whatever the rights and wrongs of immigration, there is no justification for the maddened riots and disorder we have seen in recent days.”
Meanwhile, some argued that the riots were not acts of terrorism, but rather acts of terrorism, or in the words of reader Sarah Vaughan: “Civil unrest is not ‘terrorism’!”
Julie Blackburn said: “This is not terrorism but a disgusting, hateful act of violence and I honestly don’t see what use any of these people have for humanity.”
Another reader, Ian Errington, agreed that “they are not terrorists. They are thugs, pure and simple. A lot of people have to go to prison very quickly”.
Finally, Steve Hughes argued that “the people on both sides of these riots are thugs,” and said he feared that “this will escalate into full-blown racial conflicts in some cities.”
He continued: “This could lead to unsanctioned sectarian areas and could be disastrous for our country. The failure of both parties to manage immigration for many years has led to this situation.”
‘Policing must be fair’
In addition, some Telegraph readers discussed what they saw as two-tier policing in response to the riots.
John Bates said he believes “there is definitely a two-tiered response going on. When other minorities have caused civil disorder in the past, the Left has excused their behavior for being marginalized and having a genuine grievance.
“These protests – even if there are elements bent on causing trouble that need to be stopped – are simply dismissed as the ‘far right’ without any attempt to refute or address their grievances.
“There’s an underlying reason even if it’s just plain ignorance but Cooper and Starmer won’t address it because it doesn’t fit their narrative.”
Reader Michael Morley also argued that “policing must be fair, and not soft on one group, but hard on others. You should condemn all violent protests – not kneel for certain people”.
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Philip Hood argued that “while there may or may not be two tiers of policing this time around, many believe that the authorities treat immigrants more favorably because those authorities are far more eager to make their fortunes than their do their work.
“In turn, this can lead to hostility from the indigenous people, who feel they are not being fairly represented.”
‘A Cobra meeting is not the answer’
Meanwhile, reader Geoffrey Dobson makes the point that “despite the apparent evidence, even if Keir Starmer doesn’t think two-tier policing exists, he should be wary of the growing perception that it is happening – and that he must do so. respond appropriately”.
An anonymous reader shared this sentiment: “The Prime Minister needs to find out more – out of Westminster, out of London, out of areas where there is enough money to insulate yourself and your family safely from the problem.
“He must walk among the troubled areas and ask himself why they are the way they are. The answer is not a Cobra meeting. It’s about talking to real people in the most troubled areas.”
In a letter, Ian Duckworth wrote: “The Prime Minister has sent the right message to the rioting thugs.”
However, he asked, “Do Sir Keir Starmer’s actions live up to his rhetoric? His promise of a tough response will be welcomed by many citizens, so it is vital that he delivers.
“In the long term, people’s genuine and valid concerns about immigration must also be addressed.”
‘The riots are not the cause, they are the symptom’
Many readers saw the riots as symptomatic of the wider perceived issues surrounding immigration in Britain.
Mr Morley wrote: “All mainstream parties have failed to represent the wishes of the majority to limit immigration. They failed to accurately report the crimes committed by immigrants posing as asylum seekers, just as the police failed to report the victims of the gang rapes that had been operating with impunity for years.
“I am no fan of these riots, but they are not the cause of anything, they are a symptom. Politicians, together with the political justice system, are the cause of it.”
Echoing this view, reader Carter Billington labeled the riots a “cry for help”. He explained: “Maybe the British people want the Government to change the immigration laws, maybe the people have had enough? Why aren’t the politicians addressing these issues within the community? It is very sad to see this turmoil.”
Reader Mark Stanley also recalled: “It’s funny how Sir Keir Starmer says that riots don’t represent Britain. It’s true, breaking things up is never the answer. However, Mr Starmer must understand that much of Britain is not happy with the levels of immigration, the erosion of our values and the levels of crime.”
