According to media reports, British police fear riots in 30 different locations on Wednesday. After mosques and asylum accommodation, right-wing extremists could now target advice centers.
According to media reports, the British police are preparing for massive right-wing extremist riots. A “big day” of protests and possible riots is expected today in 30 locations, including the capital London, the news channel Sky News reported, citing security sources.
According to reports, 6,000 police officers are to be ready for action. But there are doubts as to whether this will be enough. The law enforcement authorities are also relying on deterrence: of the more than 400 rioters arrested, around 100 have already been charged. According to State Secretary of Justice Heidi Alexander, more than 560 additional places in prisons are to be created from next week.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer chaired another meeting of the national crisis team Cobra on Tuesday evening to discuss the situation with cabinet members and representatives of the security forces.
He told reporters afterwards that he expected “substantial convictions” of rioters this week. “This should send a powerful message to all those who participated directly or online that they will be held to account within a week,” said the Labour politician.
Law firms and advisory centres in the crosshairs
Right-wing extremist riots in England and Northern Ireland have kept the country on edge for days. There have been attacks on security forces, asylum seekers’ accommodation and mosques. Cars and buildings have been set on fire, bricks, fence slats and other objects have been used as projectiles. Dozens of police officers have been injured.
According to media reports, police expect on Wednesday that law firms and counseling centers that support asylum seekers with their applications could become the target of right-wing extremist rioters.
Police reject accusation of double standards
In Birmingham, a pub was attacked by men who wanted to stand in the way of right-wing extremist rioters. According to reports, the men were Muslims, some of whom were armed.
A video circulating on social media showed a man being knocked down and kicked outside the pub by a group of attackers with a Palestinian flag. Birmingham police rejected accusations of double standards and said they would prosecute any crimes. A 46-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of carrying an offensive weapon.
The trigger was fake news on the Internet
The right-wing extremist riots began after a knife attack on a dance class in Southport near Liverpool the Monday before last, in which three little girls were killed and other people injured.
False reports were subsequently spread on the Internet, claiming that the attacker was an asylum seeker with a Muslim name. The police contradict this. They say he was a 17-year-old born in Great Britain whose parents are from Rwanda. The motive for the crime is unclear.
British government criticises internet agitators
The British government blames, among other things, online agitators for the excesses of violence and has announced that it will hold social media companies more accountable.
Meanwhile, multi-billionaire Elon Musk got involved on his social media platform X. He personally attacked the British head of government, whom he mocked as “TwoTierKier”. Starmer did not respond to a reporter’s question and instead stressed that his focus was on restoring security.
Police in Belfast suspect paramilitary involvement
So far, cities in all parts of England have been affected by the riots, such as London, Liverpool, Leeds, Sunderland, Nottingham, Bristol, Plymouth and many smaller towns in their surroundings. There were also violent riots in the Northern Irish capital Belfast. A man suffered serious injuries there when he was attacked by a group. The police believe that hatred was the motive for the attack, they said.
In Northern Ireland, the police suspect that paramilitary forces are involved. Even more than 25 years after the end of the Northern Irish civil war, there are still armed splinter groups from the Protestant and Catholic camps. Protestant forces are likely responsible for the riots. So far, there have been no riots in the British regions of Scotland and Wales.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
