LAST UPDATE | 4 Aug
DOZENS OF ARRESTS were made following scenes of violent disorder in Belfast and in England yesterday, with police warning that further violence is likely in the coming days.
Multiple towns and cities saw rioting by anti-immigration demonstrators, along with confrontations by counter-protesters. Police officers were attacked and injured, and many more arrests have been promised.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the police have his “full support” to take action against “extremists” attempting to “sow hate” by intimidating communities as he held emergency talks with ministers over the unrest in parts of England.
During a press conference this afternoon, Starmer said he would “not shy away from calling it what it is, far-right thuggery”.
Addressing those who engaging in the violence, Starmer said: “I guarantee you will regret taking part in this disorder.”
He denounced the actions as criminal and racist, referencing “Nazi salutes in the street”, “marauding gangs intent on law breaking” and attacks against Muslims and other minorities. “Convictions will follow,” he said.
“All right-minded people should be condemning this kind of violence,” Starmer said.
Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill said that communities have to work to keep “free from hate and division” in a post on X.
The Sinn Féin vice president added that Belfast is a “progressive and inclusive city” thanks to “years of dedication and hard work” and cross-community efforts.
Belfast is a progressive and inclusive city.
— Michelle O’Neill (@moneillsf) August 3, 2024
Years of dedication and hard work from people across our community have transformed it for the better.
Together, we will keep moving forward toward a brighter future for Belfast.
A city that flourishes, free from hate and division
The string of violent incidents over the past few days began on Tuesday in Southport in Merseyside, after three girls were killed in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club.
There was violence yesterday towns and cities such as Hull, Liverpool, Stoke-on-Trent, Nottingham, Bristol, Manchester, Blackpool and Belfast which saw several police officers injured.
It followed a riot in Sunderland on Friday evening.
The far right has drawn condemnation from MPs across the political spectrum after disorder in London, Manchester, Southport and Hartlepool came before Saturday’s violence.
Arrests have been made across the country with police warning of more to come once CCTV, social media and body-worn camera footage has been scoured.
Northern Ireland’s Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said “violence is not acceptable” in a social media post.
“Northern Ireland must always be a place that protects the right to protest, the right to have a view and to express it”, the DUP politician posted added.
“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 hate and violence. Stop it now.”
Islamic Centre targetted
A social media post circulated this week called on protestors to gather at Belfast City Hall before marching to the Belfast Islamic Centre.
Businesses were targeted in the city where police mounted a significant security operation during a lengthy confrontation between anti-Islamic protesters and those taking part in an anti-racist rally at Belfast City Hall during which fireworks and other missiles were thrown.
A group carrying a sign reading “Coolock Says No” was visible at the protest outside Belfast City Hall.
Chants of “Islam Out” were also heard outside City Hall.
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood told ministers “the whole justice system is ready to deliver convictions as quickly as possible”, a Downing Street spokesperson said, which could see courts sitting for 24 hours a day as they did for the 2011 riots, according to one report.
In Liverpool, Merseyside Police said about 300 people were involved in violent disorder on County Road, Walton, which included community facilities being set on fire.
The Spellow Lane Library Hub, which was opened last year to provide support for one of the most deprived communities in the country, suffered severe damage to the ground floor.
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 cab.
A total of 23 people were arrested on Saturday, Merseyside Police said, including 12 arrests for the disorder in the city centre, nine arrests for the disorder on County Road and two arrests in connection with the disorder in Southport.
One officer was kicked and knocked off his motorcycle by a demonstrator and others tried to kick riot shields.
The UK National Police Chiefs’ Council said there will 130 extra units in place across the country, which it said meant almost 4,000 extra public order-trained officers” to deploy.
With reporting by Diarmuid Pepper, David Mac Redmond and PA
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