After biggest security operation ever against far-right mobs, UK begins crackdown on rioters

After mounting the biggest security operation ever against far-right mobs, the British police have launched a crackdown on rioters.

At least around 450 rioters have been arrested so far and more than 100 have already been charged. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has directed the authorities to ensure that rioters are charged, convicted, and sentenced within seven days.

The British police mobilised around 8,000 personnel , including specialised riot-control personnel, to tackle the planned demonstrations at 100 places and attacks on further 39 places in a ‘hit list’ associated with immigration lawyers, asylum centres, and non-governmental organisations (NGO). Despite plans for riots, which included instructions to make and deploy firebombs, the counter-protesters outnumbered the rioters at most places and little violence happened.

The biggest focus of the operation was in London, Liverpool, Sheffield, and Birmingham. London police chief Sir Mark Rowley said 1,000 officers were deployed in the capital alone.

“Last night more than one thousand officers were deployed across the capital ready to respond to any scenes of disorder. Their efforts and the strength of unity demonstrated by London’s communities resulted in a largely peaceful evening,” said Rowley, as per The Sun.

After the Wednesday night passed relatively peacefully, the British police carried out dawn raids and carried out several arrests. The police have also scoured the CCTV footages to release photos of rioters.

Dozens more arrested in raids across UK

To tackle the far-right violence, 41 of the 43 police departments in England and Wales had been mobilised for the first time ever, which made it the biggest British security operation of all times.

After the demonstrations and counter-demonstrations of Wednesday night , the British police carried out dozens of raids and arrests in London, Merseyside, Northumbria, and elsewhere.

In London, the Metropolitan Police arrested at least 10 persons in connection with rioting last week. Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said the efforts to trace and arrest rioters continue.

“Over the last week dozens of officers have continued to investigate the violent disorder which broke out in Whitehall last Wednesday. Their efforts have resulted in a series of crucial arrests last night and in the early hours of this morning,” said Rowley, as per The Sun.

In Merseyside, Detective Superintendent Paul Speight said 42 people have been arrested, 15 have been charged, and three have been jailed. He added that more arrests are expected in the coming days. The city police circulated photos of 14 suspects.

“We have so far seen 42 people arrested, 15 charged and three jailed. There will be more in the coming days, and many people who are sitting comfortably will soon be getting a knock on their door. And you will see in coming days, the courts will act as swiftly as possible to jail those people who being violence, racism and hatred into our communities. To anyone intent on coming to Merseyside in the future I have the same message: we will find you, and we will put you before the courts,” said Speight, as per The Sun.

In South Yorkshire, the newspaper reported that the police have published 21 photos in connection with the riots on Sunday.

‘They aren’t protestors, they’re thugs & criminals’

Slamming the anti-immigrants far-right rioters arrested so far, London police chief Sir Rowley said they were not protesters but thugs and criminals.

Rowley further said that the vast majority of the rioters held so far have had serious criminal records. He said they have taken to streets to spread disorder in the guise of protests.

“What I want to make really clear is those we’ve arrested aren’t protestors, patriots, or decent citizens. They’re thugs and criminals. Around 70 per cent have previous convictions for weapon possession, violence, drugs and other serious offences. Some have football banning orders. These are violent people taking to the streets under the guise of protest to engage in disorder,” said Rowley, as per The Sun.

Of those arrested in the previous 24 hours, Rowley said that “many if not all” of the accused will be arrested and will spend years in prison.

“We’ve been really clear we won’t tolerate hate or intimidation. Ordinary Londoners have a right to live their lives without being in fear. Our message is clear - anyone thinking of causing disorder and disruption will be found and will be brought to justice. I expect many if not all of those arrested over the past 24 hours will be charged, will go to court and will spend years in prison,” said Rowley.

It’s important we don’t let up, says PM Starmer

Even as the British governmental and public efforts prevented what was thought to be the night of worst rioting so far, PM Sir Starmer said it was “important that we don’t let up”, according to The Sun.

Starmer will hold another emergency meeting on Thursday with security officials and ministers to “reflect on the last night” and plan for the coming days as more violence and rioting is expected.

Starmer has instructed that all rioters should be convicted and sentenced within a week . He said they will face the “full force of law”.

“Those involved will feel the full force of the law…Over 400 people now have been arrested, 100 have been charged —some in relation to online activity— and a number of them are already in court. I’m now expecting substantive sentencing before the end of this week,” said Starmer on Tuesday.

Starmer further said that everyone involved in the riots will be caught and punished — even those who participated in online hate-mongering.