The wave of violent unrest across the UK continued on Monday night, with police coming under attack in Belfast, Darlington, and Plymouth. In Plymouth, six people were arrested, and several officers suffered minor injuries, according to Devon and Cornwall Police.
In South Belfast, riot officers were pelted with stones and petrol bombs near a supermarket set ablaze over the weekend. This followed a vigil held earlier for the victims of a mass stabbing in Southport last week, which sparked the current unrest. Nearly 400 people have been arrested since the rioting began.
Hundreds attended the peaceful memorial in Southport to honour the victims Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar. Children blew bubbles and others left flowers and heart-shaped balloons in memory of the victims of the stabbing at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club. Merseyside Police reported that one child involved in the incident remains in hospital, while all other patients have been discharged.
Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, a 17-year-old from Banks, Lancashire, has been charged with three counts of murder, 10 attempted murders, and possession of a curved kitchen knife. He was born to Rwandan parents in Cardiff and moved to Southport in 2013. Police believe the riots across the UK have been fuelled by false rumours that Rudakubana was a Muslim asylum seeker.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer condemned the riots as “far-right thuggery” and vowed to “ramp up” the law to deal with the violence. Despite his calls for calm, the violence spread to Plymouth, where specialist officers were deployed to the Guildhall area to handle a far-right demonstration and a counter-protest. Later, scenes turned violent with a police van damaged and several officers injured. Supt Russ Dawe stated that arrests were made for various public order offences and assaults, assuring the community of a strong police presence.
In South Belfast, PSNI officers faced attacks while deployed to Sandy Row following a weekend of violence triggered by an anti-immigration protest. Businesses were damaged, and police were stood down just after midnight.
Birmingham saw disturbances on Monday evening after hundreds gathered in Bordesley Green following false reports of a far-right march. Palestinian flags were waved, and anti-English Defence League chants were heard. Youths broke away and attacked vehicles and a pub. West Midlands Police reported no arrests but confirmed incidents of criminal damage and assault are under investigation.
Durham Constabulary arrested an 18-year-old man following violent disorder in Darlington, where bricks were thrown at officers. Assistant Chief Constable Richie Allen described the situation as sporadic pockets of violent disorder, with officers working throughout the night to disperse those involved.
Since the rioting began, a total of 378 arrests have been made nationally. Courts in Liverpool, South Tyneside, and Hull have dealt with offenders. The Law Society has demanded adequate support and resources for these courts.
After an emergency Cobra meeting, Sir Keir announced a “standing army” of specialist officers to tackle the disorder. Downing Street confirmed there are no plans to involve the military but is working with social media companies to combat misinformation. Despite the unrest, the Prime Minister rejected calls for Parliament to be recalled from its summer recess.
In Northern Ireland, the Assembly has been recalled early following violent protests in Belfast last weekend. Sir Keir emphasised the importance of swift criminal sanctions to stop the disorder. Meanwhile, Downing Street criticised X owner Elon Musk for suggesting “civil war is inevitable” in the UK, highlighting the role of online misinformation in fuelling the unrest.
Neil Basu, former head of counter-terrorism at the Metropolitan Police, remarked that some of the rioting over the past week has “crossed the line into terrorism”.
For more information visit: UK Government’s response to public disorder
