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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Vivian Ho , Donna Ferguson , Martin Belam and Lili Bayer

England riots live: thousands of counter-protesters take to the streets – as it happened

Police Jim McMahon United Kingdom Cobra Sky News Matt Vickers Sir Keir Starmer Immigration

Closing summary

  • The more than 100 far-right gatherings that were expected to take place on Wednesday failed to materialise following the mobilisation of 6,000 riot officers and the deterrent effect of the swift arrests and court appearances of those accused of participating in the weekend’s violence. What few small, far right-led gatherings there were took place only in Durham, Blackpool, Norwich, Northampton, Sheffield and Brighton. Police were previously preparing for far-right action all over the country after a list of targets connected to asylum and immigration was circulated on social media.

  • Instead, thousands of anti-racism protesters held their own counter rallies, everywhere from Newcastle to Bristol to Birmingham, London and Brighton. They formed human shields to protect asylum centres, and waved placards saying “refugees welcome” and “reject racism, try therapy”. While there were some reports of tensions flaring – some skirmishes in Blackpool and a clash in Aldershot in Hampshire between a group chanting “stop the boats” and demonstrators who had been chanting “refugees are welcome here” – Wednesday’s rallies were a far cry from the violence, looting and destruction that led many businesses across the country to close up early and board up their shops in recent days.

  • Police made a number of arrests around the country, many of them stemming from online activity. In Carlisle, three men were arrested in connection with posting online hate-related content or encouraging public disorder and violence against police officers. West Midlands police arrested a man on suspicion of inciting racial hatred and possession of a firearm following several social media posts regarding protests in Birmingham earlier this week that involved a man holding a firearm.

  • The messaging app Telegram said it will be “removing channels and posts containing calls to violence” in the UK. The app, which gained prominence in far-right circles as one of the last places that the EDL founder, Stephen Yaxley-Lennon (better known as Tommy Robinson) was allowed to post, has become a go-to app for the far-right.

  • Lindsay Hoyle, the Commons speaker, wrote to MPs suggesting they review their security in the wake of the threat of further riots – and that some might want to consider working from home. His letter said those with “prominent and easily identifiable office locations may wish to consider their office security protocols”.

  • London mayor Sadiq Khan called on people in the city to “check on their friends and neighbours and show them that care and compassion is what Londoners are all about”, adding that he was in constant touch with the police amid reports of several areas in London being potential targets of far-right attacks. Deputy prime minister Angela Rayner amplified his message, saying “Mayors across the country are bringing people together in unity to condemn hatred, violence and vandalism”.

  • Conservative shadow policing minister Matt Vickers, and Conservative leadership hopeful Robert Jenrick both made criticisms of Keir Starmer, with Jenrick saying the prime minister “has made a mistake in that he has not shown equal treatment to all forms of violence perpetrated by whoever it is, wherever it is in the country”. Jenrick also said he does not regret previously accusing police in England and Wales of adopting “two-tier policing” earlier this year, nor does he regret saying in parliament in February of this year that “we have allowed our streets to be dominated by Islamist extremists” – rhetoric that many terrorism experts believe has contributed to the recent violence.

Updated

Aerial footage over London captured the breadth of the anti-racist counter protests that took place around the city. Take a look here:

Police arrest six in Carlisle operation

Police have arrested six people in connection with a dispersal order put in place for Carlisle city centre and the surrounding areas after it was listed as one of the locations for planned far-right disorder, Cumbria police said.

Three men were arrested in connection to their online activity, and remain in custody:

  • A 41-year-old man from Carlisle was arrested in connection with the alleged posting online of content encouraging violence against police officers and promoting public disorder.

  • A 40-year-old man from Carlisle was arrested in connection with the alleged posting of hate-related content online.

  • A 31-year-old man from Maryport was also arrested in connection with the alleged posting of hate-related content online.

Officers conducting increased enforcement in the area went on to arrest an 18-year-old man from Carlisle on suspicion of possession of cannabis, and a 33-year-old man from Sunderland on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly. They remain in custody.

Police also arrested a 16-year-old boy from Penrith on suspicion of breach of a dispersal order.

“Our officers have been out across Carlisle today to keep our communities safe from potential planned disorder,” said chief superintendent Carl Patrick. “Our proactive actions and the support of our communities have resulted in no significant disorder taking place.

He continued: “We took positive action into reports of online activity which attempted to incite violence and hatred. This sends a very clear message that we will not hesitate to act against those who post such content online.

“Criminality of any kind will not be tolerated in our county, and we will do all we can to ensure offenders are brought to justice. We are not complacent and will continue to carry out this proactive policing approach.”

Updated

Where were the far right rallies tonight?

A police source with knowledge of the national picture said there were believed to have been small, far right-led gatherings in Durham, Blackpool, Norwich, Northampton, Sheffield and Brighton.

The source said police were confident in their intelligence and felt justified in standing up 6,000 riot officers.

One reason for the apparent far right no show, the source said, was the deterrent effect of swift arrests and court appearances that gathered pace after the violence at the weekend, causing widespread shock.

Earlier Nick Lowles, an expert on the British far right, who now leads Hope Not Hate, told the Guardian that he was sceptical there would be widespread trouble on Wednesday evening.

The expectation was triggered by a list of targets found on social media. Lowles, speaking before this evening, said: “I think it’s a hoax, designed to spread fear and panic. Which of course it has done.

“I have no doubt that some people will turn up at some of these places, especially in areas where demographics are similar to where previous trouble has been. But other areas will be very quiet.

“The list has been compiled by one man in Liverpool, who simply googled immigration law firms etc. No-one is organising the local protests and there is very, very little chatter about it on the forums and WhatsApp groups that have been key over the past week. It’s had more circulation from the left community groups than the far right .”

Police expect the next couple of days to be relatively quiet and more so-called protests are expected this weekend.

Updated

Police arrest man following social media posts

A 49-year-old man was arrested by West Midlands police tonight following an investigation into several social media posts regarding protests in Birmingham earlier this week.

The man, who police did not name, was arrested on suspicion of inciting racial hatred and possession of a firearm after police delved into a number of posts on various social media platforms of a man holding a firearm. He remains in custody.

“We will not tolerate violence in our towns and cities, or tolerate those who use social media to encourage such violence,” West Midlands police said.

Updated

Police arrest one person in Bristol

Police have arrested one person in Bristol for allegedly throwing a brick at a police vehicle, and a bottle.

“We’ve facilitated a largely peaceful protest but we won’t tolerate acts of criminality,” said Avon and Somerset police.

Authorities estimated that more than 1,000 people had gathered on West Street in Bristol’s Old Market, while organisers from the Stand Up To Racism group estimated there were more than 2,000 people. While the atmosphere was initially tense with rumours of far-right attacks and a man apparently filming for an extreme right-wing YouTube channel, the overall mood was relatively calm after the threats of a far-right presence receded.

Updated

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) chief has told the Muslim community that police officers will be “standing in harm’s way” to ensure they are safe after several race-related attacks in Belfast.

In a YouTube video message addressed to Muslims in Northern Ireland, Jon Boutcher said that every PSNI officer “is here to look after you, we’re here to protect you”.

He said the community had been targeted by “thugs and criminals” in recent days who are from a right-wing ideology “that makes absolutely no sense to me whatsoever”.

Boutcher said a meeting was held between all leaders of mosques across Northern Ireland in Belfast on Tuesday night.

He said: “It’s clear to me you are living in fear … and I want to assure you: we will deal with it.”

Boutcher said that the community team would be in touch and officers would visit mosques.

He added: “I want to assure you we will be policing those events very much with a focus on the security and the safety of our Muslim communities.

“We will be standing in harm’s way, which is what my officers have done so far on a number of evenings, to make sure you’re safe…. we stand with you and we support you.”

Police are investigating race-related hate crimes and disorder across Belfast on Tuesday, following other disorder and violence in the city in the past week.

Updated

Police in Northampton are asking counter-protesters to leave after planned anti-immigration protests in the town failed to materialise.

Northants Police said on social media: “One hour since planned protest was due to start and there has been no disorder tonight.

“Police are now asking the crowd of counter-protesters to disperse peacefully for the evening.

“Kettering Road still partially closed for now.”

Police have arrested eight people in Croydon on suspicion of assaulting emergency workers, possession of offensive weapons and other offences.

More arrests will follow, the force said, adding that the disruption is “not linked to protest” and that it appears to be “pure antisocial behaviour”.

Hundreds of anti-racism protesters have left the church in Liverpool that appeared on a far-right hitlist this week - and the organisers are declaring victory after no sign of any rightwing activists.

“I’ve got photographs from Brighton and Walthamstow and the crowds are bigger than ours!” says Father Peter Morgan, the priest of Liverpool’s St Anne’s church. “It’s the same story throughout the country. The racists are overcome - and we hope for ever.”

Two police helicopters remain overhead as the crowd thins out. A police officer says he is “not saying it’s over” until everyone is home safe.

Adam Kelwick, the imam of a nearby mosque, said he had told a group of young men to put down their weapons and leave their balaclavas at home after rumours spread on Whatsapp that far-right activists were planning an attack.

Kelwick, who became a local celebrity after offering burgers to rightwing activists outside a mosque in Liverpool on Saturday, encouraged the crowd to invite “the most racist, Islamophobic” people they know to his mosque so he could reason with them.

• This post was amended on 8 August 2024; Father Peter Morgan is priest at St Anne’s Church, not “St Mary’s”.

Updated

The anti-racism protesters gathering across England have been captured by photographers.

Many are holding uplifting placards such as ‘good vibes only’ and ‘love and unity’.

One lady with purple hair is pictured sitting on a chair in Bristol, holding a sign that says: ‘Grannies against fascism’.

In Newcastle upon Tyne, a man holds a sign proclaiming ‘Refugees welcome in the toon’.

In Birmingham, a protester holds up a cardboard sign with the words ‘fascist scum out of Brum’ emblazoned on it.

Updated

Thousands of anti-racist protesters have filled the street outside a Bristol immigration law firm named in a hitlist circulated on a far-right Telegram channel this week.

One of the organisers from Stand up to Racism group estimated there were over 2,000 people, with every section of the city represented.

The atmosphere was initially tense with groups darting off as rumours of far right attacks swirled.

A man was spotted apparently filming for extreme right wing YouTube channel and escorted away.

But the mood is now relatively calm as the threat appears to have receded. People are chatting and listening to music, with the occasional anti fascist chant ringing out in the warm summer night.

In Sheffield, near the children’s hospital, a large gathering of anti racist protesters is slowly leaving.

“We made a sign for nothing!” said one of the protesters, Claire, holding a pink glittery placard emblazoned with the words “Hate never wins”.

“They didn’t bother coming. Very disappointing,” her friend added.

“Someone said maybe it was a false flag thing but at least now they know we won’t stand for any of their shit. We’ll be here every time. They’ve seen how many people turn out on a Wednesday night with better things to do and work in the morning.”

Updated

The problem that police in Brighton are facing is that while the tiny group of anti-immigation protesters remains in place, surrounded by a protective cordon of officers, the gigantic counter protest – probably about 1500 strong – won’t leave either, although some are slowly drifting away.

One policeman says they can’t compel the anti-immigation protesters to leave, “they have a right to peacefully protest too”.

Another points out that escorting them out may also be problematic. It is not clear whether the group is staying put of their own volition. But the longer everyone stays, as darkness falls, the more possible it becomes that the mood will change.

Bottles have been thrown at police and objects dragged down the road after about 50 people gathered in Croydon, police said.

The Metropolitan police said the disruption is “not linked to protest” and that it appears to be “pure antisocial behaviour”.

In a post on social media, the force said: “Approximately 50 people have gathered in North End Road, Croydon.

“They’ve made clear their intention is to cause disruption and fuel disorder.

“They’ve dragged and thrown objects down the road, and thrown bottles at officers.

“This is not linked to protest, this appears to be pure antisocial behaviour. Officers are moving in numbers to make arrests.”

In Brighton, a PA news reporter saw counter-protesters part from the crowd and chant at a small group of people: “whose streets? Our streets!”

A kebab shop and noodle bar were among those boarded up along the road where protests were expected to take place.

Police appeared to escort a few men towards the train station as counter-protesters followed them chanting.

Updated

Roads in Birmingham have been brought to a standstill as hundreds of counter-protesters marched from a refugee centre in the Jewellery Quarter into the city centre.

Cars honked their horns in solidarity with the crowd as they made their way towards Victoria Square, after protesting outside a refugee and migrant centre for nearly two hours.

The people who gathered to protect the refugee centre in Birmingham – up to about 500 people – are a diverse group, with a broad mix of races and ages.

“As a British-born Pakistani, who is Muslim and queer, I wanted to come out and be part of the message that the most diverse city in the UK is united. If we can get it right, the rest of the UK can get it right,” said Saima Razzaq.

“Now we need politicians to lead by example and call out the racism and Islamophobia that we are seeing.

“Birmingham is a great multicultural city, we get on together, do things together in harmony,” said Ceinwen Hilton, 66.

“The fascists want to destroy that. What we’ve seen the past few days is really frightening and shocking. But there are millions of people who don’t agree with that. So we need to come out and say we’re against it.”

Updated

Tensions rise following arrest in Blackpool

Police arrested a man in Blackpool, where a group of fewer than 100 demonstrators had been chanting “EDL” with far-right, anti-immigration rhetoric.

Updated

In Walthamstow in north east London, thousands of locals, anti-fascism activists and others have gathered near the area’s central shopping area.

Police maintained a significant but discreet presence close to Hoe Street at 8pm, the time designated for a far-right ‘protest’, passed without incident. There was no sign of any far-right supporters.

Those gathered on Hoe Street included Kristine Pommert, a German who has been living in the UK since 1992. She came carrying a placard reading: “We are one human race.”

“I am from a place where people did not stand up against fascism when it was really necessary and for that reason I feel that we have to be here,” she said. “What’s been happening in England over the last few days is something that I recognise and I can see echoes of the past in Germany, whether that’s the 30s or the attacks on people in Rostock in the eastern part of Germany in the 1990s.”

While chairs of mosques in Walthamstow had earlier issued a statement “strongly advising” members of the community to avoid joining the counter protest, groups including Stand Up To Racism promoted the action, bringing many onto the streets.

Local people included Ben Wileman, who was carrying his cockapoo ‘Remix’. He said he had found out about the counter protest through an activist friend who had been monitoring Telegram groups for some time and was aware that Walthamstow had appeared on a list of places where the far right had highlighted.

“There was a lot of talk in the last 24 hours about why people should not come here but to be honest that only made me more determined to come here.”

The local Labour MP, Stella Creasy, said: “‘Walthamstow is clear these violent thugs are not welcome here and we are grateful to all those keeping us safe – the scale of response by both the police and the community shows that we will not tolerate their racist and Islamophobic behaviour.”

“We now need a national conversation about the threat the far right poses to our country and how we address it so that every member of our society can live safe and well as we want to do without these criminals causing such fear.”

Updated

Police arrest three in Northampton

Police arrested three people in Northampton for public order offences after about 150 anti-racist counter-protesters gathered “peacefully” ahead of a planned right-wing action.

While there were few details about the arrests, most described the atmosphere in Northampton as jovial and joyful, with music and “dancing by some”.

Updated

The large anti-racism counter-protest in Newcastle appears to match the vast numbers of other counter-protests taking place across the country.

Updated

Skirmish reported in Aldershot

PA news agency is reporting that tempers are flaring between anti-immigration demonstrators and anti-racism protesters in Aldershot.

As protesters holding up “Stand Up To Racism” placards chanted “refugees are welcome here”, an anti-immigration group across the road chanted back “stop the boats”.

At one point, some in the anti-immigration party stopped traffic to walk toward the anti-racism group and angrily shout at them, spurring dozens of police officers to rush into the road to prevent the groups from getting too close to one another.

One man with the anti-immigration cohort was seen being spoken to by two officers, but it is unclear if any further action was taken.

Updated

Protests countering anti-immigration action spread across country

Across the country, hundreds of people have gathered to counter the more than 100 far-right rallies planned at immigration centres, lawyers’ offices and charities.

Huge numbers have shown up in Bristol following a clash over the weekend between anti-immigration protesters, counter-protesters and police.

In Liverpool, hundreds formed a human shield around a church targeted for its immigration advice centre. About 200 counter-protesters gathered in Birmingham, chanting “Fascist scum out of Brum”.

In Brighton, the few anti-immigration protesters gathered outside a law office were so outnumbered by counter-protesters that the police there surrounded the anti-immigration protesters for their protection. With the exception of a small scuffle that broke out earlier on Queens Road, the counter-protest had the atmosphere of a street carnival, with a samba band playing and people loudly singing.

Meanwhile, in Walthamstow in east London, crowds of anti-racist protesters amassed in the streets, holding signs reading “EDL (English Defence League) Not Welcome in Walthamstow” and “No Room for Racism”.

While there have been a few sightings of the right-wing agitators promised, overall they have been far outnumbered by the anti-racist community members.

Updated

Hundreds of people have formed a human shield outside the Liverpool church that hosts the under-threat immigration advice centre. A police helicopter is monitoring the turnout, which has a mostly peaceful atmosphere so far.

A large group of young men, many wearing face coverings, have arrived in the last few minutes as part of the anti-racism crowd. One person holds a cardboard sign saying: “Immigrants welcome. Racists not”.

“I just think it’s a disgrace,” said Maria O’Reilly, 75, holding a homemade banner reading Nans Against Nazis outside the barricaded church. “We do not support anyone coming here and attacking vulnerable people who are here legally. They [the far right] are just ignorant people and they’re inciting hatred.”

Her friend Pat Harvey, 74, added: “Tragic as it was in Southport , they’re using that as an excuse for the violent thuggery because it’s nothing to do with the children being killed.”

Harvey, a retired trade unionist, said she felt Merseyside police had underestimated the threat from the far-right and were partly responsible for the disorder getting out of hand in Liverpool on Saturday. “It wouldn’t have been that bad if the police had been prepared and acted,” she said.

Helen Robinson-Little, 47, had come to the church armed with helmets to shield people from any missiles. She said she had been at a counter-protest in Liverpool on Saturday when a far-right demonstrator screamed in her face: “You and your children deserve to be raped” and called her a “Muslim lover”.

Asked how the city will come together after the unrest, Robinson-Little was at a loss: “I don’t know. I don’t know. We will stand together.”

About 200 counter-protesters have gathered outside a refugee and migrant centre in Birmingham that was identified as a location for a far-right rally on Wednesday night.

So far, it appears no far-right groups have come and the situation remains calm.

Most of the shops and businesses in the vicinity, including a Tesco Express where the counter-protesters are gathered, have boarded up their windows and doors. Many reportedly sent staff home early.

Chants of “Fascist scum out of Brum” broke out among the crowd, and many were holding placards with anti-racism messages.

Mish Rahman, trustee of Show Racism the Red Card, addressed the crowd, saying: “The scale of the far-right riots of the past few days have been shocking, but not surprising.

“Over the last 30 years, the hostile environment has provided the grounds for this to fester. We have to defend ourselves and defeat racism.

“Staying home does not mean staying safe. These fascists are not welcome on our streets, and we’re here to tell them so.”

Updated

In Brighton, a very small group of right-wing protesters are facing down hundreds of counter-protesters outside a law office designated as one of the targets on a list circulated on social media.

The counter protesters are chanting “Fascist scum, off our streets”, and “refugees are welcome here”, receiving some hoots of support from passing traffic. A person in the building across the road has just put up a sign in its window reading “Fuck off fascists”.

The police have encircled the right-wing protesters for their own protection, and are closing down the street.

Disorder-related sentencing hearings are scheduled for 26 criminals over the next two days, the Ministry of Justice said on Wednesday evening.

Offences covered by the hearings will include violent disorder, publishing written material to stir up racial hatred, and racially aggravated threatening behaviour.

Several courts and tribunals have been closed because of the threat of violence from far right activists, the MoJ said.

A spokesperson for HM Courts and Tribunal Service said some cases were adjourned at Hatton Cross.

“A small number of courts and tribunals have taken precautions to ensure all staff and users can travel home safely.

“Some hearings have been adjourned and will be relisted as soon as possible.”

Updated

Far-right activists spotted in Hounslow in west London

In a sign of how tense and fluid the situation is, far-right activists were spotted near Hounslow East train station in west London, an area with a significant Asian population and a history going back decades of community defence against racist attacks.

A Met police source confirmed activity from suspected far right supporters and that police were looking to “intervene”.

A veteran community source said gurdwaras – Sikh places of worship – were putting security guards on to protect their premises.

In a message, one gurdwara – which pride themselves on being open to all – said it had been asked by police to shut its gates.

Shops had shut early on Hounslow’s high street, and a large police presence was reported in the area.

Hounslow was not on the original list of targets for this evening.

The atmosphere in the west London suburb was tense and that was only increasing.

The Met is running a special public order command centre, protecting the capital, which has an ethnic minority population of over 40%.

In Liverpool, a large number of police have gathered near a church that hosts an immigration advice centre targeted by far-right activists.

Many of the church’s windows have been boarded up. Nearby pubs have closed and boarded up their windows too.

While police have issued a huge dispersal order in place covering this area, giving officers powers to move on anyone involved in or likely to be involved in anti-social behaviour, Father Peter Morgan, the church’s priest, said he was “apprehensive”. He said he planned to try talk to any demonstrators to calm tensions.

“The asylum seekers are terrified, absolutely terrified,” he said. “This is only place that an awful lot of incredibly vulnerable people have got to go and we give out at least 100 meals, good quality meals, every day”.

Morgan, who has been the priest at the church for 25 years, described the call from rightwing polemicist Lawrence Fox for the country to “defend” its Christian values as as “nonsense”.

“If we were a Christian country then we’d follow the advice of Jesus and welcome the stranger or like Saint Paul said: make hospitality your special host,” Morgan said outside his boarded-up church.

“It’s actually crazy what they’re saying. And here we are having to defend our Christian church. It just doesn’t make sense. All we’re doing is actually helping to feed the hungry.”

Telegram will remove 'calls to violence' in the UK

Telegram – a messaging app that has gained prominence in far-right circles as one of the last places that the EDL founder, Stephen Yaxley-Lennon (better known as Tommy Robinson) was allowed to post – is “removing channels and posts containing calls to violence” in the UK.

“Moderators are actively monitoring the situation and are removing channels and posts containing calls to violence. Calls to violence are explicitly forbidden by Telegram’s terms of service,” the company confirmed in a statement. The move was first reported by the BBC.

A spokesperson for Telegram explained that moderators use a combination of proactive monitoring of public parts of the platform, AI tools and user reports to “ensure content that breaches Telegram’s terms is removed”. The spokesperson asked for anyone who has spotted any calls to violence to report them so that moderators can begin an investigation.

Telegram, which boasts 500m users, has become a go-to app for those wanting to spread toxic information, with many in the EDL community coalescing around conspiracist channels like those run by the Unity News Network (UNN) and the far-right group Patriotic Alternative, as well as single-purpose groups with names like “Southport Wake Up”, to organise the rallies that have devolved into violence and looting.

Updated

Teenager charged in connection with Liverpool disorder

A 17-year-old male from Walton has been charged in connection to this weekend’s rioting in Liverpool, Merseyside police said.

While authorities cannot name the youth for legal reasons, he has been charged with violent disorder and burglary in the city centre on Saturday.

He has been remanded into custody and will appear at Merseyside Youth Court at 9.45am Thursday.

He is the 16th person to be charged after the disorder in Southport and Liverpool.

Updated

Scotland’s most senior Muslim politician, Labour leader Anas Sarwar, has stressed the importance of parties “speaking with one voice” following a summit at the first minister’s Edinburgh residence Bute House. His comments come as the head of the Scottish Refugee Council said that people were “living in fear” although there has been no violent disorder in Scotland as of yet.

Sarwar said: “I’ve been really reassured by both the language, the actions and the tone of the UK Government, the Scottish Government, and also Police Scotland, who have been very clear that this is an open, welcoming, tolerant country and that we will not stand for violence on our streets.”

Addressing a potential event in Glasgow, promoted by Stephen Yaxley-Lennon (better known as Tommy Robinson), he added: “We have had times before when the far right have tried to organise in Scotland and in my hometown of Glasgow and they’ve always been been rejected. It’s important that we do not become complacent and that we stay prepared.”

Meanwhile, head of the Scottish Refugee Council Sabir Zazai told BBC Scotland News that some people in communities his organisation works with were scared to go out.

“These people are fearful already, they have fled dreadful situations,” he said. “We don’t want them to be retraumatised.”

He added that Scotland was “fortunate” not to have seen riots but warned that “nowhere is immune to racism”.

Updated

Commons speaker warns MPs to review their security

Lindsay Hoyle, the Commons speaker, wrote to MPs suggesting they review their security in the wake of the threat of further riots – and that some might want to consider working from home.

His letter said “particularly those with prominent and easily identifiable office
locations may wish to consider their office security protocols”.

He said this can include talking to their local police force “to gain an up to date understanding of the risks and policing plans in your area; considering home working; and ensuring that any sensitive information is stored safely”.

A House of Commons spokesperson said: ‘We do not comment on individual MPs’ security arrangements or advice because we would not wish to compromise the safety of MPs, Parliamentary staff or members of the public, but these are kept under continuous review.’

With police bracing for potential violence tonight, mobilising an estimated 6,000 riot-trained officers across the country, the Home Office has issued a warning to anyone considering participating in violence:

Updated

After mobs of a few hundred people rampaged through parts of Belfast last Saturday, and again on Monday, refugees who live and own businesses in the area are fearing the worst.

“All my thoughts about the Irish and this city have changed,” said Omar al-Garady, a 35-year-old from war-torn Yemen. “I don’t feel secure. We’ve been advised to keep our children inside. I hope in my heart everything will be all right.”

Rory Carroll has more here:

Rayner: 'There is no excuse for thuggery'

Deputy prime minister Angela Rayner visited the hotel that was attacked outside Rotherham on Wednesday, and called on people to “move away from and not get involved” in criminality on or offline.

“I know the public will be feeling anxious about reports of potential more unrest tonight but the police will be there to respond to any violence and criminality. There is no place for that on UK streets and the police will do their jobs... There is no excuse for thuggery and criminality on the streets,” she told broadcasters.

“I hope the public and anyone who sees what’s happening online that they will know online and offline criminality will be faced with courts and the law. I ask people to move away from that and not to get involved in that. That is not our British values.

“Hopefully people will see, detest, what’s happened and stay away from this violence
and thuggery that this small minority of people have engaged with.”

Asked whether she recognised that people have legitimate concerns about immigration, she said: “Coming on the streets, throwing missiles at the police, attacking police, attacking hotels like this one is not a legitimate grievance. It’s not the way we do politics in this country. Nobody should be condoning that. It’s thuggery, it’s violence, somebody could have got seriously injured. It’s no excuse for that and people should stay away from it.”

Updated

Cases being heard at an immigration tribunal were abandoned on Wednesday following concerns that far-right thugs could target the building.

Staff, lawyers and claimants at Hatton Cross Tribunal Hearing Centre, near Heathrow Airport, were ordered to leave at around lunchtime. Some hearings could not be completed.

Those inside the court building were told that there was far-right activity in the area. A Whitehall source said the decision to abandon the court was precautionary.

It is understood that other immigration tribunals have also been closed early because of fears of violence.

The Ministry of Justice has been approached for a comment and asked how many other tribunals and courts have been closed due to the current wave of disorder.

Man pleads guilty to inciting racial hatred by using racist language on live stream outside hotel

A man has pleaded guilty to inciting racial hatred by using racist language on a live stream he broadcast to “millions of people” from outside a hotel which was thought to contain asylum seekers.

PA Media reports Aaron Johnson, 32, of North Reddish, pleaded guilty at Manchester magistrates court to distributing images intended to stir up racial hatred outside the hotel in Stockport on Monday.

The prosecution told the court: “Members of staff became aware of the defendant live streaming from his mobile phone onto YouTube. [He]
became aggressive to members of staff” at the hotel, telling them “he would smash their face in”.

The prosecution said Johnson, who was arrested outside the hotel, had “exposed occupants of the hotel to a real danger”, adding “within the stream he repeatedly refers to migrants in a derogatory manner” and used racist language.

District Judge Jane Hamilton told Johnson: “You had no reason to attend the hotel where you were live streaming. You were taking pictures through the windows where people were trying to sleep. You also made reference to the children who were unfortunately murdered in Southport – that had nothing to do with asylum seekers or anything else.”

Johnson was remanded into custody and will be sentenced on 21 August.

Volunteer carpenters and builders have helped a longstanding refugee charity in Liverpool to board up after it appeared on the far right hit list for Wednesday evening.

Asylum Link Merseyside, which has been operating for more than 20 years, said they had no choice following the threats, along with some of the asylum seekers they support being attacked in the street. Charity workers said the adaptations they are being forced to make including switching from physical to remote working felt like another pandemic.

Asylum Link’s centre manager Ewan Roberts said: “As a charity working in Liverpool for decades we are shocked and dismayed by the violent threats towards our staff, volunteers and service users, and the potential damage to our neighbourhood. The response from the community has been overwhelming. We have had hundreds of offers of help and so many positive messages of support, it’s been really moving. We know this hatred is the minority and that most people in Liverpool are welcoming and kind.”

Police Scotland has warned the public to “think twice” about what they share from online sources while refusing to “add publicity” to potential planned “protests” in Scotland.

After meeting first minister John Swinney along with chief constable Jo Farrell, assistant chief constable Gary Ritchie said:

We are aware of a number of potential protests, and counter protests, over the coming weeks, which will be policed appropriately but we are not going to speculate on or add publicity to individual potential events.

I would also encourage everyone to be responsible in their use of social media and not to share speculation or inaccurate information. Please think twice about what you read, share and believe from online sources.

He added that officers were providing reassurance to communities across the country, with enhanced patrols and increased contact, adding that violence and disorder “is not legitimate protest and anyone who engages in disorder will be dealt with swiftly and robustly”.

Ritchie said that the force remained in close touch with other UK police services “should requests for support be required.”

Chairs of Mosques in Walthamstow have issued a statement “strongly advising” members of the community to avoid joining counter protests tonight against rumoured plans by far-right activists to target an immigration advice office in the area.

However, a debate has been sparked in the same community, with younger members saying that they plan to gather tonight alongside anti-fascist activists.

The Waltham Forest Council of Mosques (WFCOM) said in a letter circulated to their community: “As community leaders, it’s essential to recognise that our role does not involve providing public protection or policing. Attempting to manage crowds during such events can be challenging and may adversely affect Muslim communities. Additionally, there is uncertainty surrounding the alleged connection between the event and the EDL.”

Syed Shafi, Secretary of WFCOM said he and others had spoken to local police authorities. He said the police confirmed that they were unaware of any intelligence reports regarding the threatened event until they were notified by the council.

“Given this information, the WFCOM Council of Mosques strongly advises community members to avoid participating in these protests. We kindly request that everyone refrain from engaging in activities related to this event.”

However, activists including the Stand up to Racism group have issued a rallying call for people to join them at 7pm in Walthamstow to oppose any appearance by the far-right later in the evening.

Updated

The Muslim Council of Britain has issued a statement with guidance to the UK’s Muslims for staying safe, saying “We know many communities across the UK remain fearful of violent far-right extremist riots. We know these thugs do not represent the vast majority of Britons who stand with us against such hatred and Islamophobia.”

In the video, Zara Mohammed, secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain, says:

I know just how deeply distressing and fearful these times are. We have not experienced this much violence and hatred in a very long time. I’ve been in touch with mosques across the country, and I know the real threat that they are under at this time. So our advice at the Muslim Council of Britain is simple.

First, stay safe. Whether it is your personal safety or the safety of your mosque, community centre or business, please be cautious. Do your risk assessment, and be in touch with the police. Make sure that you’re taking every precaution to be vigilant in these very, very difficult and dark times.

Number two, remain united. This is a time where we have seen an outpouring of love and support, people protecting our mosques and our businesses, and calling out this hatred and violence and thuggery for what it is, extreme, far-right violence. Nothing of it is acceptable to our society, and we’ve seen people truly come together. So remember to reach out to your allies, friends, neighbours, and to be united, and make sure this hate doesn’t win.

And number three, keep faith. We know our communities have been through so much. And these are just testing times, and we will overcome them once more. So hold on to the rope of Allah, remain united and be firm and hopeful that Allah will take care of us.

The MP for Clacton and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has asserted that “politicians and the media are falsely accusing me of being involved in the riots”.

He cited a YouGov survey which suggested concern about immigration as a policy area had risen as a result of a week of violent disorder in England and Wales.

It isn’t clear that anybody has accused Farage of being directly involved in the riots, although many people have claimed he has incited support for the far-right’s messages with years of rhetoric about immigration and point to the fact that in a video he published after the stabbing murders of three children in Southport last week he questioned whether police were withholding information about who was responsible for the murders.

Deputy prime minister Angela Rayner said last Wednesday that there was “a level of responsibility … and it’s not to stoke up what conspiracy theories or what you think might have happened”, while Kim Johnson, Labour MP for Liverpool Riverside, said Farage’s comments “cannot be left to fester” and should be examined by the parliamentary standards commissioner.

Updated

London's police warn parents to 'think carefully about where their children are' ahead of expected violent disorder

Vikram Dodd is the Guardian’s police and crime correspondent:

Police told parents to know where their children are tonight, as Britain prepares for what is feared to be the worst public order challenge it has faced in over a decade.

The Metropolitan police, which covers London, where over 40% of the population is from ethnic minorities, vowed to defend its communities.

The warning from the Met to parents comes after other violence saw young people joining in. Several people under the age of 18 have already been charged in other areas of England for taking part in the recent far-right driven violent disorder.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Andy Valentine said: “We have more than 1,300 public order officers ready to deploy across London today in addition to thousands already working in our communities. We will not tolerate any disorder and will make arrests.

“We are also using a range of specialist teams including mounted units, dog handlers, intelligence experts and evidence gatherers. We will be using retrospective facial recognition to help officers identify those behind criminal disorder. This technology can be used even when offenders are wearing masks.

“Everyone can play a role by not sharing inflammatory online speculation and giving our officers space to undertake their important duties.

“We also ask parents to think carefully about where their children are today and in coming days. Noone wants to be caught up in potentially violent and criminal behaviour.

“It is our privilege to be part of a city pulling together at an uncertain time. You will see more officers on patrol. If you are concerned, or need help, speak to them. They are there to help.”

Head of counter-terrorism policing confirms it is 'actively assessing incidents' and supporting forces across the UK

Vikram Dodd is the Guardian’s police and crime correspondent:

Britain’s head of counter-terrorism, assistant commissioner Matt Jukes, has confirmed his command’s involvement in the huge police response to the violent disorder of the last week.

Jukes vowed to use terrorism laws to prosecute people, if merited.

It comes after his immediate predecessor as head of counter-terrorism, Neil Basu, told the Guardian on Monday, that some of the worst violence had crossed the line into terrorism.

Jukes confirmed for the first time that counter-terrorism detectives are involved in some of the investigations into the violence: “Counter-terrorism Policing is actively assessing incidents to understand whether terrorism legislation should be applied and we will make those judgements without fear or favour.”

Until now regular detectives have been leading the investigations, and currently that remains the case.

In his full statement, Jukes said:

Counter-terrorism policing is supporting forces across the UK in their response to the disgraceful disorder we have seen on our streets.

This includes using our specialist capabilities to support the full range of police activity, including intelligence gathering and informing operational planning.

We know that many people will feel vulnerable at this time, and we are supporting local forces with protective security expertise and advice.

We have seen terrible examples of violent crime, disorder and criminal damage, and charges are already being brought across the country. I am very clear that using terrorism legislation or declaring activity as terrorism has not been, and will not be, ruled out.

Counter-terrorism policing is actively assessing incidents to understand whether terrorism legislation should be applied and we will make those judgements without fear or favour.

Our message to those involved in this disorder is; we are watching and we will not hesitate to use our powers to protect our communities.

Updated

Our Politics Weekly UK podcast has just launched an episode about the far-right violence that has been seen in England and Northern Ireland in recent days. In it, Gaby Hinsliff speaks to the Guardian’s deputy political editor, Jessica Elgot, and Nazir Afzal, the former chief prosecutor for the north-west of England.

Listen to it here: Politics Weekly UK – Will the threat of arrests be enough to stop far-right violence?

Northern Ireland secretary Hilary Benn has said he is “shocked and angry” that businesses in the region had been targeted during violence after anti-immigration protests.

PA Media reports Benn said he met some of the business owners who have been attacked and PSNI officers who have been dealing with the violent disorder.

At a press conference at a community centre in Belfast, held with Northern Ireland Office minister Fleur Anderson, he said it was “really important” that people who are “shocked and angered and disgusted by what is happening speak up”.

Benn said: “People are entitled to protest and people are entitled to their political views, but there is no justification whatsoever for engaging in this kind of violence that is targeting particular communities.

“Members of these communities, some of whom I’ve met today, are frightened. People are afraid to go out of their own houses.”

Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey earlier made a statement after meeting with Benn. She said “Today’s meeting was an opportunity to press upon him the urgent need to support businesses damaged by racist violence. I also told the British secretary of state that the PSNI urgently needs additional resources to deal with sporadic racist violence.

“It is important that police have every tool available to protect life and property, and to bring those responsible for this reprehensible racist behaviour to justice. Racist disorder is not welcome or reflective of Belfast and our people. All hate, discrimination, racism and intimidation must be eradicated from our society.”

Updated

Police officers will be stationed at strategic holding points around the country so they can “intervene early and … intervene hard” at short notice where violence flares in coming days, a senior police officer has said.

Sir Andy Marsh, chief executive of the College of Policing, which represents police forces in England and Wales, outlined the plan in an interview with Sky News on Wednesday afternoon, as the UK anticipates more widespread disorder.

The Guardian earlier reported that more than 6,000 public order trained officers would be on duty on Wednesday night, with officers from London and the south-east sent to the north-west and north-east where the worst violence is expected. Police intelligence said that more than 100 far-right led protests are planned.

Marsh said he would be convening a “knowledge sharing event” for public order commanders on Wednesday where they would “think about the tactics we need to use, the powers and the conditions.” He told the broadcaster:

We are seeing a huge mobilisation of police officers, the biggest since 2011, and those officers are mobilising to strategic holding points and they will intervene early and they will intervene hard where the law is being broken

Every single one of the police forces, and I heard in the lead in you said that two forces are not anticipating any – if we call it protest – locations, but every police force will have significant numbers, including neighbourhood police, out on their streets today [and] tonight making sure that people can go about their lives as safely and as normally as possible.

We have changed our approach actually, we would normally work from something that’s called mutual aid. Where a force can’t cope they apply for mutual aid either in advance or spontaneously. We know that that’s not quick enough, that’s precisely why we are moving to this new approach for this series of violence, so that we can get the right numbers of officers quickly enough to the right place to arrest the people that are responsible, put them before a court, and protect the community. That’s our priority.

48 locations mentioned as possible locations for far-right mobilisations are being prioritised by the anti-racism group Hope Not Hate, which monitors extremists.

It comes as police are bracing themselves for more than 100 protests across the country tonight amid threats by far-right groups to target immigration services

A list of 39 locations was compiled and released on channels on the Telegram social media platform in recent days.

Hope Not Hate described this as a “hitlist” of aspirational targets that called for action, up to and including terrorism by far-right groups.

“However, what started as an aspirational list of locations, primarily targeting service providers for refugees and asylum seekers, has subsequently been spread widely around the internet and is being discussed as a list of locations for protests, disturbances or attacks,” the organisation said in a briefing note.

“The wide circulation of this list has caused a great deal of distress, unease and fear within the communities mentioned. Indeed, this list has been compiled precisely to spread these emotions within Muslim and immigrant communities. Understandably, many are now organising counter-protests and demonstrations to defend the locations listed for attack.”

Updated

Neha Gohil, community affairs correspondent at the Guardian, has spoken to activists who opposed the UK far right in 1970s. You can read that here:

Labour Liverpool city councillor Ruth Bennett says her and her fellow councillors have been “overwhelmed” by the support for the Spellow Library on County Road which was fire damaged by far-right rioters.

PA Media reports Bennett said “We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of our residents, partners and people from right across the country.

“From thousands of pounds of cash donations to replace destroyed books and IT equipment, to the use of building spaces so that community services can continue at a time when they are most needed, the thoughtfulness and generosity has been overwhelming. It shows the very best of the people of Liverpool and beyond.”

Liverpool city council said activities planned for the library over summer had now been relocated.

Updated

Here is a video clip of the Metropolitan police commissioner, Mark Rowley, who has said accusations of two-tier policing are “complete nonsense” and that those making the claims were putting officers at risk.

Diane Taylor writes for the Guardian today, arguing that lies flourished in a vacuum where governments were scared to look soft on asylum seekers, much less dare to express any humanity:

The rate at which asylum claims were processed slumped from 2016, partly due to inefficiency and partly, I imagine, because ministers feared that processing asylum claims too quickly would signal to voters that the UK was a soft touch. The growing backlog and the pandemic were a perfect storm that led to an explosion of hotel use – and the gift of a photo opportunity for the far right, which turned up regularly at this accommodation to bait bewildered asylum seekers and capture exchanges on film they could livestream.

The discontent of far-right, anti-migrant voters was nourished with toxic narratives from the likes of former home secretaries Priti Patel and Suella Braverman, the former slamming immigration and human rights lawyers doing their jobs as “lefty lawyers” and the latter scaremongering that 100 million asylum seekers could cross the Channel to invade the UK.

While legislating against the peddling of racist lies online, and the conviction and imprisonment of those who have participated in current disorder, are important, there’s one thing politicians haven’t tried. It isn’t complicated to implement and it doesn’t cost anything. Start telling the truth and tell it over and over again. Disseminate factually accurate information with confidence through schools, community and faith groups, local authorities and other organisations.

Read more from Diane Taylor’s opinion column here: Politicians – there’s an easy remedy to the violence we’re seeing across the UK. Start telling the truth

John Hyde, who is deputy news editor for Law Society Gazette, has made the point that “swift justice is fine” but offers the suggestion that “it might be worth an explainer from the CPS and Ministry of Justice at some point why these cases can be turned around so quickly when other cases take years.”

In doing so he raises the point that information vacuums can sometimes in themselves fuel accusations of two-tier policing. Shadow policing minister Matt Vickers made a point earlier about how visible the justice process is, telling Sky News viewers:

It would be helpful, actually, for more of the public to see what went through the courts in response to what had gone on in Middlesbrough [during the unrest]

So, two people go through the courts yesterday. One, being a person who turned up to protest actually, they’d seen this stuff online, gone down there to get involved in all this violence and disorder, and they deserve what’s coming.

And at the same time, I saw that somebody who turned up to counter protest, armed with a knife, was feeling the full force of the law. And that’s exactly what should happen.

Writing in the Spectator, Stephen Webb, formerly director at the Home Office and the Cabinet Office, and now working as head of government reform and home affairs at the right-leaning Policy Exchange thinktank, argues that a perceived lack of information is what allowed “rioters to believe the lies”. He claims:

The willingness to believe lies is a symptom of decaying trust in official channels. Government, the media and the police need to have a hard look at their own communications and whether they may have contributed to this mistrust, even from the best of intentions.

Many believe the authorities’ priority is to preserve community relations at all costs, including by damping down discussions of particularly sensitive crimes; and that many of the media outlets cooperate. This might not be the case but there is a pattern here.

Much of the current messaging focuses exclusively on the far-right as the perpetrators, but less on the intimidating ‘counter protests’ involving groups of masked men.

Prime minister Keir Starmer has used his social media channel to share a clip of a news announcement of the sentencing of rioters for violent disorder with the message “This is the swift action we’re taking. If you provoke violent disorder on our streets or online, you will face the full force of the law.”

Greater Manchester police have issued a statement addressed to the local community in their are of operation, in which they say these are “challenging times” but that the force is “immensely proud to see the majority of our residents standing together and condemning this unacceptable disorder.”

In the statement, the force says that “to date, we have made 26 arrests for a variety of offences including assault, violent disorder, possession of weapons, and 20 have been charged.”

It says:

We understand the uncertainty and worry that people are feeling about current tension, much of which is being fuelled by the widespread sharing of misinformation online which is sometimes being created with the purpose of creating fear and inciting intolerable hate.

Our advice to communities is to remain calm and to try to go about your every-day life. GMP continues to monitor the intelligence to ensure we can respond effectively to any incidents of disorder. And, if we believe there needs to be specific information about anything emerging we will tell people and offer advice.

We are heavily resourced, and we have specialist officers and staff who are working around the clock to tackle these issues and ensure our communities are supported. We are speaking to community leaders and elected representatives regularly to make sure they are appraised of all planned protests known to GMP. People living safely and peacefully, do not deserve to be frightened: we are here to protect you, and we will use all resources and capabilities to do so.

The statement concludes by telling the public that “your unwavering support has not gone unnoticed.”

My colleague Ben Quinn has put together this guide to several of the factions of the far-right operating in Britain.

Jenrick defends statement that arrests should be made over 'Allahu Akbar' shouts on street

Robert Jenrick, who has been criticised for his use of words earlier today, when he said “I thought it was quite wrong, that somebody could shout about Allahu Akbar out on the streets of London and not be immediately arrested”, has posted to social media to defend his use of language.

He has posted a video clip of an incident he claims to have been citing, adding:

“Allahu Akbar” is spoken peacefully and spiritually by millions of British Muslims in their daily lives. But the aggressive chanting below is intimidatory and threatening. And it’s an offence under section 4 and 5 of the Public Order Act. Extremists routinely abuse common expressions for their own shameful ends. All violence must end. All violence must be called out.

Sayeeda Warsi has responded, repeated her earlier criticism of Jenrick. She said:

No Robert you do not get to go on national broadcasters and say one thing and try and pretend you said something else after! If you genuinely feel your comments on Sky News were inappropriate, offensive, incendiary and anti-Muslim (which they were) then start by apologising.

Then you can go back to pretending you are a responsible candidate for the leadership of our party. Not prepared to let you and other colleagues get away with this gaslighting and playing these games any more – too much damage has already been done to our country and it deserves better than this populist nonsense.

Section 4 and 5 of the Public Order as referenced by Jenrick make no explicit mention in law to the words “Allahu Akbar”, but make it an offence to:

use towards another person threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, or distribute or display to another person any writing, sign or other visible representation which is threatening, abusive or insulting, with intent to cause that person to believe that immediate unlawful violence will be used against him or another by any person.

or

use threatening words or behaviour, or disorderly behaviour, or display any writing, sign or other visible representation which is threatening, within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress thereby.

Just Stop Oil have announced they are to pause their campaigning actions “whilst civil unrest is continuing to affect many towns and cities around the country”.

In a statement the group said:

We recognise that the violence on our streets is endangering communities, particularly those of Muslims and people of colour. In accordance with our commitment to nonviolence, we will not stretch police resources, such that they are unable to protect communities most at risk. Therefore, we are pausing our nonviolent resistance until the immediate threats to safety have been dealt with appropriately.

Our deputy political editor Jessica Elgot has more on that criticism of Robert Jenrick’s comments that people shouting “Allahu Akbar” should be arrested:

Robert Jenrick, who is one of the favourites to win the Conservative leadership, was criticised by the Conservative peer Sayeeda Warsi and the Labour MP Naz Shah.

Warsi wrote on social media: “Every day before we start parliamentary business in the Commons and Lords we say a prayer and praise God – we say our parliamentary version of Allahu Akbars at the heart of democracy – a process Robert Jenrick is a part of. This language from Jenrick is more of his usual nasty divisive rhetoric – he is such a tool.”

Shah, the MP for Bradford West, said: “This is complete ignorance and textbook Islamophobia from Robert Jenrick. It literally equates every Muslim in the world with extremism … It’s a basic Islamic saying that every Muslim in the world says in prayer.

“ … Imagine in this climate, either being that ignorant or deliberately trying to stigmatise all Muslims. He should apologise and speak to Muslim communities and learn more about our faith.”

Another Labour MP Afzal Khan said: “Another day, another senior Tory being Islamophobic. Allahu Akbar means God is great – the Muslim equivalent of hallelujah. Jenrick’s confidence in going on national TV to say people should be arrested for saying Allahu Akbar exposes his deep-seated prejudice against Muslims.”

Read more from Jessica Elgot here: Robert Jenrick criticised for saying people shouting ‘Allahu Akbar’ should be arrested

There has been considerable pushback on comments that Conservative leadership hopeful Robert Jenrick made earlier today, when he said “I thought it was quite wrong, that somebody could shout about Allahu Akbar out on the streets of London and not be immediately arrested.” [See 10.08 BST]

While the phrase has been associated with Islamic terrorism, it is also simply the phrase God is great in Arabic used in prayers. As ITV News political correspondent put it in a series of social media posts:

As members of the suspected far-right take to the streets, often going after Muslims and mosques, the man running to be the next leader of the Tory party goes on TV to say any Muslim who says God is great in Arabic in public should be arrested. Yes the phrase has been used by violent extremists. But it’s also used by literally every Muslim on Earth. Every Muslim says it every day when they pray.

There has also been criticism not just of Jenrick’s comment, but that they went unremarked upon by the Sky News presenter conducting the interview. Apsana Begum, MP for Poplar and Limehouse, presently suspended from ther Labour whip after voting for an SNP amendment during the king’s speech debate in parliament, posted to social media to say “Islamophobia and racism is so entrenched, it goes unchallenged.”

Tracy Brabin has joined other elected mayors in England in calling for an end to violent far-right riots. In a statement, the West Yorkshire mayor said:

Racism and Islamophobia should never be mistaken for patriotism. West Yorkshire is a proud region that is built on the values of tolerance, fairness and hard work.

Our priority now is to protect our communities from this insidious violence and reject those who seek to divide us.

We are working with West Yorkshire police on this, who have my steadfast support to deliver swift and robust justice.

Every child growing up in our region deserves the chance to feel safe and secure. And that absolutely includes those who have had to flee famine or war to come here. It is appalling to hear how some people are afraid to walk the streets, due to being singled out for their faith or colour of their skin.

We must now come together to heal and begin the urgent task of repairing the fabric of our nation.

In a statement expressing similar sentiment, Kim McGuinness, mayor of the North East, said:

Our North East is accepting, kind and proud – the appalling behaviour of a violent minority seen in the last few days will never represent us.

I am aware of reports that far-right groups may further target our communities today and throughout this week. My message to them is simple – do not. These are not protests, they are not peaceful. You are not welcome.

The targeting of Muslim and minority communities is disgraceful. But in the North East we look after our neighbours and racism and prejudice will not be tolerated. If you choose to take part in violent disorder in our region there will be severe consequences.

As your mayor, I have been in contact with Downing Street and the police about the national and regional response and in recent days, alongside council colleagues we’ve met with community and faith leaders and businesses in our region and will continue to do so in the coming days to provide reassurance that their concerns are being heard.

What we have seen in our streets already has left many feeling scared, angry and upset. Right now I call for people not to act on those feelings negatively but to do so in peace and with kindness to all our communities firm in the knowledge that those taking part in this targeted, right wing violence and thuggery will face the full force of the law.

PA has reported that after the sentencing of Declan Geiran, who was jailed after setting a police van alight, assistant chief constable Paul White of Merseyside police said that “in this case and others, officers have acted swiftly to detain an offender, the Crown Prosecution Service have rapidly approved charges and the courts have moved very quickly to secure a sentencing”.

He added:

Just four days after trying to burn a police van, Geiran has been driven in the back of a prison van to serve a 30-month term in jail.

The message is clear: if you get involved in disorder, don’t count on ending the week at home with your family.

Updated

Over 100 far-right led gatherings expected today, higher than previously thought, and across most of the country, police today said.

41 of the 43 local police force areas in England and Wales are bracing for potential violence.

Police assess the threat of further gatherings on Wednesday as “credible”, a police source said. They accept some events may not happen, but they are bracing themselves for the worst evening of trouble since the disorder started last week.

The targets are largely connected to asylum and immigration.

A police source said that so far up to 30 counter-protests are expected, and since the weekend there has effectively been a “national mobilisation”.

Today 200 riot officers from the Metropolitan police in London are going to reinforce Greater Manchester police.

Riot officers from south east of England are going to the north-east.

The police source, who is authorised to speak to reporters, said the worst disorder is expected in the north-east and north-west of England.

About 6,000 riot trained officers will be on duty, some deployed at known so called protests, others ready to reinforce colleagues if they fear being overwhelmed.

Some asylum seeker accommodation where there is a credible threat will be guarded.

On Sunday in Rotherham there was an attempt to set fire to a hotel with over 200 asylum seekers, who were inside at the time, with a crowd of 700 people outside.

In total so far 428 arrests have been made after disorder and riots that started last Tuesday, and that number is expected to increase, police said.

120 people have been charged and that number is expected to increase.

The police source said they are going after “keyboard warriors” such as Tommy Robinson, and others, who may be inciting violence, as well as those on the other side.

The police source said: “Cases are being built, intelligence is being built”.

Updated

A man has pleaded guilty to inciting racial hatred by using racist language on a live stream he broadcasted to “millions of people” from outside a hotel in Stockport thought to contain asylum seekers, PA reported.

Aaron Johnson, 32, pleaded guilty at Manchester magistrates court on Wednesday to distributing images intended to stir up racial hatred.

Updated

Summary of the day so far …

  • Police says they are prepared for planned unrest by “hateful and divisive groups” as they monitor reports of at least 30 possible gatherings and threats against immigration law specialists

  • Jim McMahon, minister of state for housing, communities and local government, has said that the vast majority of Britons will be going about their everyday life today, but that “there are a tiny minority of people who don’t want it to be a normal day”

  • London mayor Sadiq Khan called on people in the city to “check on their friends and neighbours and show them that care and compassion is what Londoners are all about”, adding that he was in constant touch with the police amid reports of several areas in London being the potential targets of far-right attacks. Deputy prime minister Angela Rayner amplified his message, saying “Mayors across the country are bringing people together in unity to condemn hatred, violence and vandalism”

  • Courts have continued processing cases arising from the violent disorder, with a rioter who punched a police officer in the face during violent unrest in Southport jailed for three years

  • A man has been charged with possessing an offensive weapon after TV coverage appeared to show someone holding a sword at a gathering in Birmingham. Two men have been charged after violent disorder in Darlington on Monday evening, Durham police said. Six people have been charged with violent disorder in Plymouth on Monday night

  • Earlier, Conservative shadow policing minister Matt Vickers, and Conservative leadership hopeful Robert Jenrick both made criticisms of Keir Starmer. Jenrick said the prime minister “has made a mistake in that he has not shown equal treatment to all forms of violence perpetrated by whoever it is, wherever it is in the country”. Vickers said

  • Jenrick has said he does not regret previously accusing police in England and Wales of adopting “two-tier policing” earlier this year, nor does he regret saying in parliament in February of this year that “we have allowed our streets to be dominated by Islamist extremists”

  • Former chief inspector of constabulary Sir Thomas Winsor has criticised politicians for talking about two-tier policing, saying it deliberately “increases a perception of unfairness”

  • The former first minister of Scotland, Humza Yousaf, has said that the racist and Islamophobic of recent days have made him question whether it is safe for his family to remain in the UK

  • Police Scotland has issued a statement addressing rumours of a far-right gathering in Glasgow’s George Square today after online speculation led to some local businesses advising staff to stay at home

Rioter who punched police officer in face in Southport jailed for three years

Josh Halliday, our North of England editor, reports on the court hearing this morning at Liverpool crown court:

The hearing at Liverpool crown court was told that an “unprecedented” 93 Merseyside police officers had been injured during the unrest over the past eight days, with more injuries being assessed daily.

In a statement read to court, the Merseyside police chief constable, Serena Kennedy, said officers had suffered a range of physical injuries – including a broken jaw and lost teeth – while some have been waking in the night with panic attacks.

Police had expressed “disbelief” that no officer had been killed in the unrest, Kennedy said, though many were left fearing whether they would “return home safely to their families”.

Derek Drummond, 58, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and assaulting an emergency worker. He has been jailed for three years, in the longest prison sentence so far over the far-right disorder in England and Northern Ireland.

Read more here: Rioter who punched police officer in face in Southport jailed for three years

The Green MP for Brighton Pavilion, Siân Berry, has voiced her support for the local Muslim community after local media reported that a mosque in Peacehaven had been targeted over the weekend with eggs thrown at the building. It was the second reported attack on a mosque in the area within days.

In a post on social media, Berry said:

Peacehaven is part of our Brighton and Hove community, and this attack is going to make many people fearful across our city. I stand in solidarity with Muslims, refugees and people of colour in our city – there is no place for Islamophobia, racism or white supremacy here.

Anti-racism activists in Brighton are planning a demonstration tonight, with local Stand Up To Racism organiser Christian Hogsbjerg telling Brighton and Hove news:

The tragedy in Southport deserves our unity, not division and hatred. We can’t let the far right spread racist lies, targeting Muslims and refugees. They have called a protest outside an immigration solicitors office in Brighton to try and target those supporting refugees and migrants. Join us to show we won’t let division and hatred win here.

The University of Sussex has emailed students warning them to “be sensitive to possible areas where trouble may be likely.”

Derek Drummond, 58, of Southport has been sentenced to three years in prison after he admitted violent disorder and assaulting an emergency worker in Southport on 30 July, PA Media reports.

Lucas Ormond Skeaping, 29 of Tavistock, Devon, has admitted a charge of violent disorder. Plymouth Magistrates’ Court heard Ormond Skeaping had been wearing a GoPro camera at the time, which later showed him “throwing a full bottle of coke and a rock” towards protesters. The defendant, who has no previous convictions, was remanded into custody.

Michael Williams, 51, of Sparkwell, Devon, has pleaded guilty to a charge of violent disorder relating to protests in Plymouth on Monday night.

PA Media reports Plymouth magistrates court heard there were bottles and rocks being thrown between two groups of protesters before fighting broke out, with Williams seen kicking another man. He was carrying a stone when arrested.

District Judge Joanna Matson remanded Williams into custody, telling him:

These matters are incredibly serious indeed. You have accepted your role in very serious disorder and violence in the city centre that took place on Monday night. That kind of behaviour will not be tolerated in this society. I am satisfied that my sentencing powers are insufficient and I am going to commit you to the crown court for you to be sentenced.

Our political correspondent Aletha Adu has this report on that earlier statement from London mayor Sadiq Khan:

Sadiq Khan has pleaded with Londoners to check on their friends and neighbours, as Muslims and minority ethnic people have been left fearful after the recent riots.

The mayor of London said he was aware of specific locations that may be targeted in the city on Wednesday and has warned “anyone thinking of spreading hatred and fear in our city: if you break the law, action will be taken against you”.

Khan went further and noted that “acts of violence and disorder on the streets of London will not be tolerated”. He said anyone found to have committed a crime “will be arrested and face the full force of law”.

“In London, we have zero tolerance for racism, Islamophobia, antisemitism or any form of hate and we pride ourselves on being open, diverse and welcoming of all faiths and backgrounds. It’s woven deeply into the fabric of our great city and is why those who seek to divide our communities will never win.”

Read more here: Sadiq Khan calls on Londoners to ‘check on’ friends and neighbours amid rioting

A 16-year-old boy from Tamworth has been charged by Staffordshire police as officers continue to investigate Sunday’s attack on a Holiday Inn Express in the town.

PA Media reports the boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been charged with violent disorder and assault by beating of an emergency worker.

He is due to appear at the North Staffordshire justice centre on Wednesday, Staffordshire police said. Two men from Tamworth have been arrested in connection with the same disorder.

Updated

A man cried in court as he pleaded guilty to violent disorder after disturbances in Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester city centre on Saturday, PA Media reports.

Liam Ryan, 28 of Bradford pleaded guilty at Manchester magistrates’ court.

The prosecution said Ryan had travelled from West Yorkshire to take part in the disorder, and that during the violence a “large group of far-right protesters” were seen engaging in an “altercation with one black male”, which was filmed by members of the group and uploaded on social media.

The prosecutor said Ryan had “played an active role in the disorder”, adding that “he was seen on the footage aiming a punch towards the male involved”.

Ryan, who was shaking as he wiped tears away with a tissue after pleading guilty, was remanded into custody and ordered him to appear at Manchester crown court on 14 August.

Updated

Police Scotland has issued a statement addressing rumours of a far-right gathering in George Square today after online speculation led to some local businesses advising staff to stay at home.

Posting on social media, Police Scotland Greater Glasgow wrote: “We are aware of speculation circulating about a protest in George Square, Glasgow, today. There is no intelligence to suggest any protest is planned. Please be wary of what you read on social media, and avoid speculation and sharing information which may be inaccurate.”

The Guardian was first alerted to these rumours yesterday, but was unable to confirm them – there was some suggestion that individuals may have mixed up today – 7 August – with 7 September, when an event promoted by Tommy Robinson is planned.

The charity Volunteer Glasgow announced that it had cancelled a planned drop-in session near the square today “to take extra caution in relation to the safety of our staff and service users”.

It is evidence of the strength of people’s anxiety having witnessed the racist and Islamophic rioting in England and Northern Ireland that online rumours can result in offline responses like this one.

There have been a number of similar events suggested around Glasgow over the weekend, but little clarity on whether they will come to pass. Police Scotland have said they are “aware of a number of planned protests, and counter protests, over the coming weeks, which will be policed appropriately”.

Sarah Smith, who is the recently elected Labour MP for Hyndburn and Haslingden in Lancashire, has issued a statement about concerns that Accrington may be a target for far-right violence.

She said

Many are feeling worried about the threat of protests in Accrington. I want to reassure everyone that the police have plans in place for any situation which may arise and along with Hyndburn Borough Council and local Councillors we are doing everything we can to protect our community.

Make no mistake that racism, violent disorder and criminal disorder on our streets will not be tolerated. Those who are attacking police, looting shops, and whipping up racial hatred online will be brought to justice.

We have far more in common than that which divides us. Our community is strong and united and this minority do not speak for us. I know Hyndburn and Haslingden has a history of peacefully living together, we buck the trend and overcome differences by talking and sharing. We are shocked at what is occurring elsewhere and will not be drawn into wanton destruction and hate.

I am grateful to the police who are working incredibly hard to protect us all.

The Crown Prosecution Service has said in a statement that another 20 people have been charged overnight after several days of riots in England and Northern Ireland.

Nick Price, director of legal services for the Crown Prosecution Service, said:

In addition to more than 120 individuals charged yesterday, we have charged a further 20 people with a range of offences following the continued unrest in parts of the country.

The Crown Prosecution Service will continue to work alongside police to build the strongest possible cases, authorise rapid charging decisions and ensure those involved in disorder are brought before the courts.

A 21-year-old has been remanded in custody until Friday after he pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Teesside magistrates court today, PA Media reports.

Charlie Bullock was described as “the main instigator” of a large group pushing against a police line during riots in Middlesbrough.

The prosecution said Bullock was wearing a black balaclava as he threw stones at police. The court heard that an officer who attempted to detain Bullock was then surrounded by other members of the group who “repeatedly assaulted him” until other officers came to his aid.

Police chiefs: 428 arrests made and about 120 people charged after violent disorder

The National Police Chiefs’ Council has issued a statement promising that “forces across the UK are taking a ‘hard line’ on suspects of violent disorder”, adding that about 120 people have been charged and 428 arrests made, with that number expected to rise significantly day by day.

In the statement it says that some of the measures taken include “remanding suspects who have no previous convictions as a deterrent and minimising or even avoiding releasing on pre-charge bail to ensure swifter justice.”

It says that police chiefs have asked that those charged be “named and shamed publicly”.

Chief constable of Essex police BJ Harrington said:

What we have witnessed this past week is plain criminality. It’s dividing our communities, injuring our officers and it needs to stop. Forces continue to make arrests so be warned: if you have played a role, you can expect a knock at the door.

Violent disorder carries a maximum sentence of five years and this week a number of suspects with no previous convictions have already been remanded in prison after their first appearance at the magistrate’s court for violent disorder.

Kris Venkatasami of the Crown Prosecution Service said “Charges – including the first charge of intending to stir up racial hatred – are accelerating, and we are already seeing swift justice as convictions continue to rise.”

PA Media reports that a trio of men in Liverpool are likely to be the first people sentenced after the violent disorder in the city that came after the murder of three girls in Southport.

Liam James Riley, Derek Drummond and Declan Geiran are scheduled to be sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday.

Drummond, 58, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and assaulting an emergency worker, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said. Riley and Geiran will be sentenced for their part in the rioting in Liverpool city centre after both also pleaded guilty to violent disorder, with Geiran also admitting to arson of a police vehicle.

On the same day, inquests into the deaths of the three girls stabbed in the Southport knife attack have been opened and adjourned this morning.

Bebe King, six, Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, died after the stabbing at Hart Space in Southport, Merseyside, on Monday 29 July.

PA Media reports the inquests into their deaths were formally opened by Julie Goulding, the senior coroner for Sefton, St Helens and Knowsley, at Bootle town hall in Merseyside, on Wednesday.

Adjourning the inquests to allow the criminal process to take place, the coroner said: “It is impossible to adequately articulate the devastating, lifelong effects the truly tragic events of Monday 29 July 2024 have had, and will continue to have, on the parents, families and friends of Elsie, Bebe and Alice, who cruelly lost their young lives in such horrific circumstances.”

A little more here from Conservative leadership hopeful Robert Jenrick, who has used a series of interviews this morning to criticise the prime minister and policing in England.

Citing events in Birmingham as an example, Jenrick told Times Radio:

We mustn’t be squeamish or selective in how we call out violence. I think the prime minister has not been as clear as he could be about the fact that, whilst the majority, the overwhelming majority of the incidents that we’ve seen have emanated either from the far-right or from a range of thugs and criminals who’ve chosen to take part in these events, there are nonetheless a much smaller number of sectarian gangs who have been causing disruption, violence and intimidation.

PA Media reports that West Midlands police said the level of policing during “sporadic incidents” of disorder had been commensurate with intelligence assessments made before hundreds of people gathered in the Bordesley Green area.

Government minister Jim McMahon rejected accusations of two-tier policing, in particular in relation to the Birmingham incident.

Also speaking on Times Radio, PA Media reports he said his understanding of the Birmingham incident is that police made a tactical decision to “withdraw and regroup” but that any potential criminal activity is expected to be followed up.

Operational decisions are for the police, he said, “but I also want to be clear that people should not believe that because their arrest wasn’t taking place on the day that that somehow means that justice will not catch up with people”.

A 46-year-old man has been charged today with carrying a weapon during Monday’s disturbances in Birmingham.

The SNP’s Humza Yousaf, Scotland’s former first minister, has been critical of Jenrick’s comments about the far-right violence during the last few days. Yesterday evening Yousaf posted to social media to say:

A reminder that, as a government minister, Robert Jenrick ordered the Home Office to paint over cartoon murals at a centre for unaccompanied children seeking asylum. The dehumanisation of migrants doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Own it, and apologise for the part you have played.

Man charged with possessing offensive weapon in Birmingham on Monday

A man has been charged with possessing an offensive weapon after TV coverage appeared to show someone holding a sword at a gathering in Birmingham, PA Media reports.

The 46-year-old man from Birmingham, was arrested and charged by West Midlands police after an incident in Bordesley Green on Monday.

A large crowd congregated after rumours had spread on social media about a potential far-right protest, which did not take place.

The man was remanded to appear before Birmingham magistrates court on Wednesday. West Midlands police said they are continuing to investigate other incidents in the area and “will be looking to make more arrests”.

Earlier today, Conservative shadow policing minister Matt Vickers repeatedly criticised the prime minister over the incident in Birmingham, saying “I wouldn’t mind seeing what Keir Starmer has to say about what went on in Birmingham.”

Conservative leadership hopeful Robert Jenrick also earlier accused the prime minister of making “a mistake”, claiming Starmer “has not shown equal treatment to all forms of violence perpetrated by whoever it is, wherever it is in the country.”

Updated

Ruth Cadbury, who is the Labour MP for Brentford and Isleworth and former shadow prisons minister, has also issued a statement about the threat of violent far-right disorder targeting addresses in London.

She has said in her statement:

Residents across our borough share my revulsion at the explosion of violent Islamophobic and racist behaviour taking place across the UK over recent days. These riots are randomly attacking businesses, individuals and are targeting mosques and asylum hotels. I can only imagine the impact this is having on many local residents.

Whilst we have not (yet) seen organised demonstrations locally, there is information circulating providing details of an action to take place in Brentford this eveningtargeting one of a list of solicitors’ firms and legal advice centres across the country.

This is to let you know that locally I am working with the police, Hounslow council and Councillors, the Mayor of London and other organisation to share information and be ready to respond if needed, and I know mosques and community organisations are also involved in calls and meetings.

In the last two days, I was on an MPs call with the policing minister, Diana Johnson MP and another yesterday with the Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan police. They are working closely together to ensure there are sufficient police resources to respond, to protect communities, and for the criminal justice system to bring the strongest possible charges to all those arrested for this criminal behaviour.

They have a clear plan to respond to any far-right demonstrations and will deal with them swiftly. There will be more police officers in the area today and this evening. They will respond to any concerns and are available to speak to residents needing help and advice.

Violence has no place in our communities – we stand together against all forms of violence and abuse, and ensure that those seeking to divide our communities know they will not succeed. Our diverse area stands as one community and we take pride in our shared identity. In Hounslow our diverse communities have stood side by side for decades.

As my friend Jo Cox said “We have more in common than that which divides us”

London mayor: 'check on friends and neighbours and show them care and compassion is what Londoners are all about'

The deputy prime minister has added her support to a statement Sadiq Khan. In a post on social media, Angela Rayner said:

Those seeking to divide our communities will never win. Mayors across the country are bringing people together in unity to condemn hatred, violence and vandalism.

She was responding to an earlier statement by London’s mayor, in which he told residents of the capital:

The disorder, racism and violence that we have seen in towns and cities across the country in the last week have been truly shocking. I’m aware of reports that far-right groups are now planning to target locations in London and I want to be very clear to anyone thinking of spreading hatred and fear in our city – if you break the law, action will be taken against you.

Acts of violence and disorder on the streets of London will not be tolerated, and if you commit a crime, you will be arrested and face the full force of the law.

I am in constant touch with the Met. City Hall and the police are working closely with community leaders and local organisations to protect targeted buildings and places of worship, as well as provide reassurance for Londoners.

I know the shocking scenes have left many Muslims and minority ethnic communities scared and fearful, so I ask my fellow Londoners to check on their friends and neighbours and show them that care and compassion is what Londoners are all about.

In London, we have zero-tolerance for racism, Islamophobia, antisemitism or any form of hate and we pride ourselves on being open, diverse and welcoming of all faiths and backgrounds. It’s woven deeply into the fabric of our great city and is why those who seek to divide our communities will never win.

Two men have been charged after violent disorder in Darlington on Monday evening, Durham police said. PA Media reports the pair, who are both 18, have been remanded in custody, and are listed to appear at Teesside magistrates court later on Wednesday.

Calvin Bailey, the recently elected Labour MP for Leyton and Wanstead, has issued a statement about claims of a planned far-right event in east London in Walthamstow this evening.

In the message, Bailey said the Metropolitan police “continue to monitor the situation and ensure we are prepared for any and all eventualities.”

He continued:

The safety and wellbeing of our residents is always our top priority. We are taking a series of precautionary measures to provide reassurance to our residents, businesses and visitors. Extra CCTV and police patrols will be in place, and we are ensuring buildings and construction sites in the immediate area are as secure as they can be.

We are also reaching out to local businesses and faith organisations who might be targeted by these suggested ‘protesters’ to provide extra support and advice.

We want everyone to be safe. To ensure that, residents should consider avoiding the area altogether. If there are issues, this will make it easier for the police and other law enforcement agencies to undertake their important work to bring those issues under control quickly, and deal swiftly and effectively with those who have disrupted and caused harm to our community.

He concluded “Waltham Forest has a long and proud tradition of being a Borough of Sanctuary, where those fleeing persecution, conflict, and oppression are made welcome. Our community will continue to stand for unity. We will not be divided – despite those who want to sow fear and hate.”

Jenrick: I do not regret claiming there is 'two-tier policing' or saying that our streets are 'dominated by Islamist extremists'

Robert Jenrick has said he does not regret previously accusing police in England and Wales of adopting “two-tier policing”, nor does he regret saying in parliament in February of this year that “we have allowed our streets to be dominated by Islamist extremists.”

Asked on Sky News “What do you think when you look back at that particular phrase?” he said:

I think that’s absolutely right. And you know, there were instances back then, where we saw Islamist extremists, honestly, I’ve just given you one example where you literally had somebody chanting or shouting Allahu Akba, off Oxford Street. We saw people commending the Houthis for firing missiles at British-flagged vessels, you know, in the seas, and that is completely wrong. That is anti-British, and we should be calling it out. And what I don’t want to see are politicians or sections of the media closing down the debate on those important issues, because it would be irresponsible.

If political leaders were not able to debate and to discuss rising levels of extremism, whether it’s Islamist extremism, or indeed on the far right. And as I said earlier, if that happens, then we just open up space for extreme parties to come forward because they would then be able to be in fact, they would be the only avenues through which people could see those concerns.

Jenrick was then challenged that over the last few days the violence on the streets in England and Northern Ireland had been perpetrated by people who had the ideas of two-tier policing and radical Islamist domination “at the forefront of their minds”.

Jenrick, who is MP for Newark and does not hold a shadow cabinet role, was asked “I guess my question on all of it, is even if you can find legitimate context for those phrases, at the moment that you use them, do you sit here today, step back and pause and think I’m not going to use those phrases as readily again, or even potentially regret using those phrases.”

Jenrick then accused Sky News of trying to shut down debate, saying:

Absolutely not. What you’re arguing for is to close down debate in this country. Should I, as a political leader in this country, not raise the question of Islamist extremism?

I think we have a serious problem of extremism in this country. I think integration is clearly not working properly. We have far too high levels of mass migration, which is putting immense pressure on housing, on public services. I think there is diminished trust.

Jenrick was formerly immigration minister in Rishi Sunak’s government. He continued:

I think too many of our politicians do not see this because they don’t see the consequences. It is not them who are living in communities where people are living segregated lives. It is not them that are experiencing inter communal violence, and that diminished level of trust.

I don’t want to close down this debate. I want to have it conducted in a responsible manner where politicians choose their language with care. You’re absolutely right to say that, but if we as part of the centre right, or the centre left fail to have this debate, then not only will we fail to address the legitimate concerns of millions of people in our country, we will also open up space for parties of the extreme, which will lead to some of the challenges we’ve had in recent days and weeks.

On the claims of so-called two-tier policing, Jenrick said:

I have been very critical of the police in the past, particularly around the attitude of some police forces to the protests that we saw since 7 October. You know, I thought it was quite wrong, that somebody could shout Allahu Akbar out on the streets of London and not be immediately arrested. Or project genocidal chants on to Big Ben and that person not be immediately arrested. That attitude is wrong.

Jenrick appears to be referring to an incident in February 2024 when the phrase “From the river to the sea” was projected on to the Houses of Parliament.

Some argue the phrase implies the eradication of Israel, while others dispute that, saying that the frequently chanted slogan “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” is simply a call for sovereignty for the Palestinian people and freedom from the illegal Israeli occupation of their land since 1967.

Jenrick accuses Starmer of not showing 'equal treatment' to all forms of violence

Robert Jenrick, who is running to be leader of the Conservatives, has been appearing on Sky News and accused the prime minister of making a “mistake” and not showing “equal treatment” to all people involved in violence over the last few days. He told viewers:

The prime minister has made a mistake in that he has not shown equal treatment to all forms of violence perpetrated by whoever it is, wherever it is in the country.

I think it’s incredibly important that in this moment we are clear that violent disturbances of this kind, whether they are from the far right, or from sectarian gangs, as we’ve seen more recently, for example, in Birmingham, are equally wrong, and that we call those out and we urge the police to take action without fear or favour.

In his public statements, [the prime minister has] actually spoken primarily, if not exclusively, about the thuggery, the violence, the disturbances caused by the far-right.

And of course, that’s important, because the actions of the far-right for example, the racist ambushes, the attack on a mosque are disgraceful. Let me be absolutely clear on that.

But I don’t think we should be selective or squeamish in the way in which we handle the situation.

Violence is violence.

And we also need to be clear that there are some instances of sectarian gangs attacking other members of our society and that is equally wrong, and it’s only by doing that, that we can ensure that we really meet this moment, that we speak for the nation as political leaders, and we ensure that all forms of violence are stamped out in equal measure.

Jenrick was minister for immigration in the previous Conservative government. Previously seen as a close ally of Rishi Sunak, he resigned in December 2023, after it was revealed that the government’s Rwanda plan legislation did not allow the government to override the international laws.

He did offer some support for Starmer’s government, saying:

I wish them well, because this is a moment of severe national strain, and we want the government to be taking all action possible to take back control of our streets, and provide the level of safety and security that people in communities across the country are calling for right now.

And there are many steps the government has taken that I think are the right ones, whether it’s getting more prosecutors, or courts sitting around the clock, urging the police to surge resources into the affected areas.

Humza Yousaf: riots cast doubt on whether the future for his family remains in the UK

The former first minister of Scotland, Humza Yousaf, has said that the racist and Islamophobic of recent days have made him question whether it is safe for his family to remain in the UK.

He told the Newsagents podcast yesterday evening: “You cut me open, I’m as about as Scottish as you come … but the truth of the matter is, I don’t know whether the future for me and my wife and my three children is going to be here in Scotland, or the UK, or indeed in Europe and the West, because I have for some time really worried about the rise of Islamophobia.”

Yousaf said that, while politicians across parties in Scotland had told a more positive story of immigration than in England, given the country’s struggles with depopulation, “don’t let any of your viewers or listeners think that I’m suggesting that Scotland is immune from racism or Islamophobia, it absolutely is not.

“I have been on the receiving end of many a death threat from Scotland, and many people in Scotland, I’m afraid, have been charged because of the abuse that they have thrown my way, because of my race or because of my religion”

Yousaf, who became Scotland’s first Muslim leader when he was elected FM in 2023, also highlighted “institutional Islamophobia” at Westminster, saying:

We have sitting in the current crop of MPs, a former home secretary who could write in one of the biggest selling broadsheet newspapers in the country that the Islamists are taking over. Nigel Farage, who has called Muslims, ‘a fifth column’. Example after example of where the language of the far-right driven by Islamophobia has now become institutionalised in our politics.

Chief executive of Conversation Over Borders, a national charity supporting refugees and asylum seekers, is calling for people to send in welcoming notes which will be delivered to asylum seekers staying at initial hotel accommodation, PA Media reports.

Colette Batten-Turner said since putting the call out the charity received 150 messages by the next day, adding: “We are getting more and more messages come in by the second.”

Batten-Turner said: “People are very, very afraid, even in places not yet targeted by the far-right violence. The voices of far-right extremism, that’s… really not representative of most people in the UK.

“My message to anyone living in initial accommodation hotels and newly arrived to the UK or feel affected, is … there are so many more people who want to spread a message of welcome and solidarity and compassion, and who will welcome those people to the UK, and feel the UK is a better place because they’re here. We will make this a safe place for them to be, even if it doesn’t feel like it at the moment.”

Former chief inspector of constabulary Sir Thomas Winsor has criticised politicians for talking about two-tier policing, saying it deliberately “increases a perception of unfairness.”

Speaking on LBC with Nick Ferrari, PA Media reports he said: “The policing of public assemblies, marches, everything is a function of the operational independence of the police, and they have to assess day by day, hour by hour, the threat, harm and risk of individual circumstances.

“There is a fundamental difference, for example, between marching for Gaza and being very noisy about it and violent disorder that we see now.

“On the two-tier policing point, I remind listeners of the constable’s oath every police officer takes. This oath is to police with fairness, integrity, diligence and impartiality, to uphold fundamental rights and accord equal respect to all people according to law, and that’s what they do.

“And when people, politicians and others, talk repeatedly, and these are their talking points, and they know what they’re doing about distrust of the police and two-tier policing, over and over again – that, in itself, increases a perception of unfairness which is not correct.”

Winsor served between October 2012 and March 2022 as chief inspector of constabulary.

Six people have been charged with violent disorder in Plymouth on Monday night which saw police officers injured and two members of the public taken to hospital, PA Media reports.

Devon and Cornwall police said the four adults and two 17-year-old boys have been charged under section 2 of the Public Order Act 1986. They are due to appear at Plymouth magistrates court today.

While shadow police minister Matt Vickers was broadly supportive of the government over their handling of the far-right violence and civil unrest of the last few days, he did offer some criticism directly of prime minister Keir Starmer.

Twice during the interview he alluded to Starmer not having commented on armed youths appearing on the streets of Birminham.

During the interview, Vickers said:

You know what, you can be concerned about immigration, you can be concerned about damage to a place of worship, you can become rightly concerned about all those things. It does not give you licence and freedom to go out there, arm yourself, carry a knife, abuse people in the street, assault people in the street, hurl things at police officers, burn people’s cars, damage people’s homes. You have no right to do that.

However he also at one point said:

We need the prime minister and the government to succeed in tackling this issue. There’s concerns out there about the fact that it took a week to get a cobra meeting together, so that agencies could start coordinating and ensuring we had the right people in the right place.

We’ve seen question marks about two-tier policing. Whatever Keir Starmer wants to say about who is responsible and their motivations, those question are for him, you know? There was comment that he didn’t comment on, he didn’t make any mention, of people being armed in Birmingham. Well, that’s questions for him.

He later returned to the theme, adding “I’ve said, you know, that people have commented on the fact that the prime minister Keir Starmer has said things on certain parties … the law will be upheld by our British police officers regardless of what politicians say. I wouldn’t mind seeing what Keir Starmer has to say about what went on in Birmingham.”

Updated

During his Sky News appearance this morning, shadow policing minister Matt Vickers rejected the claim by some that there was so-called two-tier policing in England. He told viewers:

My view is whoever you are, whatever your motivation is, whichever side of any debate you might be on, the law will be upheld by our British police officers regardless of what politicians say.

The police are doing the right thing. The courts are doing the right thing, regardless of who you are, regardless of your motivations, you are going to be held to account.

Vickers said he wished that more accurate information was being distributed about what was happening inside the justice system. He said:

It would be helpful, actually, for more of the public to see what went through the courts in response to what had gone on in Middlesbrough [during the unrest]

So, two people go through the courts yesterday. One, being a person who turned up to protest actually, they’d seen this stuff online, gone down there to get involved in all this violence and disorder, and they deserve what’s coming.

And at the same time, I saw that somebody who turned up to counter protest, armed with a knife, was feeling the full force of the law. And that’s exactly what should happen.

Also on the media round this morning has been Matt Vickers, the recently appointed Conservative opposition shadow minister for policing. Speaking to Sky News, Vickers was broadly supportive of the new Labour government’s handling of the situation. He told viewers:

I welcome the fact that 400 people have been arrested. I welcome the fact we’ve got courts sitting around the clock to make sure that people feel the full force of the law as quickly as possible. It’s the right thing to do. I wish the government well and hope that they succeed in bringing this thing to a close.

I think our police officers out there on the front line are incredibly brave. Incredibly determined, incredibly committed. Police officers doing what they do, day in day out, putting themselves in harm’s way to protect us. They do not deserve the abuse that’s going on out there. And it is right those people responsible will face the full force of the law.

He unequivocally condemned those involved in violence, adding:

I think what we’ve seen in the last few weeks has been absolutely horrendous with huge consequences for communities across the country. We’ve seen people’s properties damaged. We’ve seen people assaulted. Absolutely terrible scenes with huge impacts for the community.

Minister: it is a 'tiny minority' of people 'who don't want it to be a normal day'

Jim McMahon, minister of state for housing, communities and local government, has said that the vast majority of Britons will be going about their everyday life today, but that “there are a tiny minority of people who don’t want it to be a normal day.”

He told viewers of Sky News:

There are a tiny minority of people who don’t want it to be a normal day. Who will want to cause disruption, and who will want to cause violence as a way of progressing their argument.

There is no legitimate reason to go out there and to cause disruption, to cause violence, in the way that we have seen. That is not what people want.

The vast majority of British people are going about their every day business, and want peace, and want for that to be respected.

Minister: 'we stand by police, prosecutors and courts' to deliver justice 'swiftly and efficiently'

Speaking on Sky News, Jim McMahon, minister of state for housing, communities and local government, has said the number of police being deployed was an “operational matter”.

Asked whether there had been discussions about mobilising 100% of police who have been trained to deal with riots in the light of suggestions that multiple locations would be targeted by far right groups on Wednesday evening, he said:

Of course the police will do an operational assessment of the threat that has been made, and the intelligence that they have. And they will deploy officers based on that intelligence. It’s for the police to make that operational decision.

What we have said as a government is that we stand absolutely with our police force. We stand with our prosecutors. And we stand with the courts. To make sure that those who do go over the line are dealt with swiftly and efficiently by the system.

Because in the end, people want to see that justice is delivered to those who seek to disrupt and cause harm.

McMahon is Labour MP for Oldham West, Chadderton & Royton.

Minister: government prepared for 'eventuality' of further unrest as list of 30 targets circulates

Asked specifically about suggestions that up to 30 locations were expected to be targets for far-right demonstrations and violence this evening, a government minister has said they need to be “prepared for the eventuality that there may be further unrest and violence.”

Speaking earlier on Sky News, Jim McMahon said:

Clearly we need to be prepared for the eventuality that there may be further unrest and violence. But we of course don’t want it to happen.

We want people to heed the warnings that have been issued. We want people to see the arrests and the charging decisions that have already been made to say that if people do go out and they intend to cause trouble, or they incite other people to cause trouble, they can expect the full force of the law.

Because in the end all of us have the right to live in a community without fear of violence or harassment or intimidation.

Police forces were preparing for potential violence on Wednesday as they monitor reports of at least 30 possible gatherings. A list of solicitors’ firms and advice agencies has been shared in chat groups as possible targets for gatherings, with the message inviting people to “mask up” if they attend.

Tell Mama, a group monitoring Islamophobia in the UK, said it has alerted police and counter-terrorism officials to the “far-right threats”.

The Law Society of England and Wales described such gatherings as a “direct assault on our legal profession”, while Justice secretary Shabana Mahmood said threats against solicitors are “unacceptable” and those making them will “join the hundreds of others who have already been arrested by police within the last week”.

Overnight, after a second meeting of the government’s emergency Cobra committee which the prime minister attended, Keir Starmer said “Obviously it’s a difficult situation with disorder going on in a number of different places at the same time, but that is precisely why I held my second Cobra meeting today to coordinate the response and to get the assurance that I want and need that we do have adequate police in place, that we are able to cope with this disorder.”

More than 400 people have been arrested in connection with the riots and disorder around the country since the Southport stabbings last week, with the number expected to rise in the coming days.

Welcome and opening summary …

Good morning, and welcome to our ongoing coverage of UK politics and the far-right violence and civil unrest that has been seen across England and Northern Ireland over the last few days. Here are your headlines:

  • Police says they are prepared for planned unrest by “hateful and divisive groups” as they monitor reports of at least 30 possible gatherings and threats against immigration law specialists.

  • About 100 people have already been charged in connection with the unrest, and charges continued to be brought on Tuesday night, with defendants expected in court on Wednesday. Overnight, two 38-year-old men were charged with violent disorder in connection with disturbances in Southport and Liverpool.

  • Police said they are investigating several racially motivated hate crimes in Belfast on Tuesday evening, including an attack on a young boy by a group of youths.

  • After a second emergency Cobra meeting, the prime minister, Keir Starmer, said “it’s a difficult situation with disorder going on in a number of different places at the same time, but that is precisely why I held my second Cobra meeting today to coordinate the response and to get the assurance that I want and need that we do have adequate police in place, that we are able to cope with this disorder.”

It is Martin Belam with you for the next few hours. You can get in touch at martin.belam@theguardian.com.

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