Thugs will pay the price, the Government warns amid fears of more disorder to come

“Thugs who engage in criminal disorder in the streets will pay the price”, the Government said, amid warnings that further violence is likely in the coming days.

Towns and cities in England and Northern Ireland saw clashes between anti-immigration demonstrators and counter-protesters on Saturday, police officers were attacked and injured and several arrests were made, with many more promised.

The string of violent incidents over the past few days began on Tuesday in Southport, after three girls were killed in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said those involved in the clashes “will pay the price” and that “violence and criminal disorder have no place on Britain’s streets”.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said police have his “full support” to take action against “extremists” who are trying to “sow hate” through terrorizing communities as he held emergency talks with ministers over the unrest in parts of England.

The far right has drawn criticism from MPs across the political spectrum after disorder in London, Manchester, Southport and Hartlepool preceded Saturday’s violence.

Arrests have been made across the country and police have warned that more are to come once CCTV, social media and body-worn camera footage is scoured.

Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood told ministers “the entire justice system is ready to deliver convictions as quickly as possible”, a Downing Street spokesman said, which could see courts sitting for 24 hours a day day as they did for the 2011 riots, according to one report. .

Violence took place on Saturday in towns and cities such as Hull, Liverpool, Stoke-on-Trent, Nottingham, Bristol, Manchester, Blackpool and Belfast where several police officers were injured.

It happened after a riot in Sunderland on Friday evening.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said anyone who attacks the police should be ashamed.

She wrote on X: “I can’t thank our local police enough for everything they do to keep people safe.

They were among the first people on the scene when the horrific incident unfolded in Southport.

They risk their lives to keep us safe, and those who attack them should be ashamed.”

Northern Ireland’s Deputy First Minister, Emma Little-Pengelly, said that “violence is not acceptable”.

“Northern Ireland must always be a place that protects the right to protest, the right to have an opinion and 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 hatred and violence. Stop it now.”

In Liverpool, Merseyside Police said around 300 people were involved in violent disorder on County Road, Walton, which included setting fire to community facilities.

The ground floor of Llana an Spidéal Library Hub, which opened last year to provide a much-needed stop shop for one of the country’s most deprived communities, suffered extensive damage.

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 cabin.

23 people were arrested on Saturday, including 12 arrests for the disorder in the city centre, nine arrests for the disorder on County Road and two arrests for the disorder in Southport.

One demonstrator kicked and removed an officer from a motorcycle while others tried to kick riot shields.

In a post on X, Liverpool City Council urged people to “stay away from the area” and let the police “deal with this ongoing situation in Walton”.

Assistant Chief Constable Alex Goss described the behavior of the protesters as “pathetic”, adding: “The impact of the disorder will be devastating for the people of Walton, but I promise we are doing everything we can to help those who was involved in arresting and taking them to. justice.”

Merseyside Police also said a 58-year-old man has been charged with two offenses following the violent disorder in Southport on Tuesday.

Derek Drummond of Linn Street, Southport, has been charged with violent disorder and assaulting an emergency worker. He will appear at Wirral Magistrates’ Court on Monday, August 5, police said.

In Hull, Humberside Police said 20 people were arrested, three police officers were injured and shops were damaged and burnt after a mob attacked a hotel where asylum seekers were staying.

Assistant Chief Constable Mike Walker said: “The right to lawful protest is part of democracy, which my officers have stood for, but we will not tolerate the senseless vandalism, anti-social behavior and extreme violence that has been inflicted on our streets.”

Businesses were targeted in Belfast where police mounted a significant security operation during a prolonged standoff between anti-Islam protesters and those taking part in an anti-racism rally at Belfast City Hall where fireworks were set off and other missiles.

In Bristol, police made 14 arrests over violent disorder in the city center which Avon and Somerset Police described as “totally 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 a disturbance 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 to do this again and the police are and will continue to be ready,” said Chief Constable BJ Harrington, who speaks on public order for the National Police Council.

“An additional 130 units are in place across the country, which means almost 4,000 additional trained public order officers to be deployed.

“So if you intend to cause trouble and disorder our message is very simple – we will watch you.”