Mobs of far-right yobs have clashed with police for a fourth day as unrest continues to spread throughout the country in the wake of the Southport knife attack.
In Liverpool, several officers were hurt during ‘serious disorder’ which saw them pelted with a volley of bricks, as well as bottles flares and in some cases a chair and scooter. Planned rallies in cities across the country got under way on Saturday as tensions remained high after the killing of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club on Monday.
Humberside Police said that ‘at this stage, three officers are believed to have suffered injuries’ after a group of people targeted a hotel which houses asylum seekers. Sir Keir Starmer said police have the Government’s ‘full support’ to take action against ‘extremists’ attacking officers and attempting to ‘sow hate’ as he held crisis talks with ministers over the violence across parts of England.
Huge police presence and several arrests at ‘Enough is Enough’ demo in Bristol
Police said they had made multiple arrests because of violent disorder in Bristol city centre.
Avon and Somerset Police said: ‘Some of the behaviour we have seen is completely unacceptable and we will use all the powers available to us to deal with it.’
The was a large police presence in the centre of Bristol as a protest got under way.
They had gathered at Castle Park following a campaign on social media with the tags ‘enough is enough’ and ‘stop the boats’.
A counter protest organised by those opposed to the far-right was also taking place at the same time.
Both groups were on Victoria Street but divided by the Bristol Bridge and dozens of police officers in riot gear.
Mounted officers were also on duty, as were dog handlers.
In pictures: Disorder in Stoke
Sainsbury’s in Manchester forced to close after being trashed by yobs
A Manchester city centre supermarket has been forced to shut after it was ‘stormed’ by a gang of masked yobs this afternoon.
At about 3.25pm today, a group of men wearing masks and balaclavas were seen running down Mosley Street chanting the name of the far-right activist Tommy Robinson.
Eyewitnesses said some of the group then ran into a Sainsbury’s Local store before ‘grabbing items and throwing them’.
After leaving the shop, the men were chased by police wearing riot gear, who managed to kettle them outside Manchester Art Gallery.
A photograph taken by the Manchester Evening News showed items strewn across the floor of the shop. The shop later closed, with another image showing its shutters down.
Home Secretary: We cannot stand for ‘violent thuggery on our streets’
Communities have a ‘right to feel safe’, Yvette Cooper said as she insisted the police have the Government’s full support to take the ‘strongest possible action’.
Asked what ministers could do to help counter the violence, the Home Secretary said: ‘The police need to lead operations in communities across the country where there has been both violent disorder and thuggery on the streets, which is completely unacceptable, completely damaging and where the police need to, they have our full support, taking the strongest possible action, making sure that these criminals face the full force of the law.
‘And also already there are some of the suspects and perpetrators have already been arrested, already facing charges and are in custody, but we expect more of that to continue and we will support the police every step of the way. Communities have a right to be able to feel safe.’
Asked whether there had already been charges, she said: ‘There have already been arrests and charges but we know that that will continue and the police have our full backing, and I want everyone to be clear – anyone who gets involved in criminal disorder and violent thuggery on our streets will have to pay the price and they should expect there to be arrests, prosecutions penalties, and the full force of the law including imprisonment, travel bans, and more because it’s really important that communities can feel safe on the streets, and there are consequences for breaking the law.’
Police deny reports of stabbing during demo in Stoke-on-Trent
Four men have been arrested in Stoke-on-Trent after disorder in the Staffordshire city.
Police denied that there had been a stabbing, countering claims made on social media.
In a statement, the force said: ‘There is growing speculation that a stabbing has taken place as a result of the disorder today. We can confirm this information is false and no stabbings have been reported to police or emergency responders, despite videos fuelling speculation on social media.
‘We can confirm a man was injured after being hit by a blunt object that was thrown. His injuries are not thought to be serious and he has been taken to hospital for treatment.
‘Four men have been arrested in connection with the disorder and are currently in custody for questioning.’
Specialist officers are continuing to respond to disorder in Stoke-on-Trent.
Four people have been arrested and we have addressed false claims that a man was stabbed as part of the activity today (3 August).
Read the full update here: https://t.co/ghJ0Ojwo0z pic.twitter.com/Gqjjt4VFSi
— Stoke-on-Trent Police (@Policingstoke) August 3, 2024
Home Secretary says rioters will ‘pay the price’
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said those engaging in violent disorder ‘will pay the price’.
‘Criminal violence and disorder has no place on Britain’s streets,’ she told broadcasters.
‘We’ve been clear to the police that they have our full backing in taking the strongest possible action against perpetrators, including making sure that there are more prosecutors, there are sufficient prison places and also that the courts stand ready because anyone who engages in this kind of disorder needs to be clear that they will pay the price.’
PM says police have Government’s ‘full support’
Sir Keir Starmer said police have the Government’s ‘full support’ to take action against ‘extremists’ attacking officers and attempting to ‘sow hate’ as he held crisis talks with ministers over the violence across parts of England.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said she would work with forces to help ensure ‘consequences, arrests and prosecutions’ for those responsible.
A Downing Street spokesperson said: ‘This afternoon the Prime Minister convened senior Ministers including the Deputy Prime Minister, Home Secretary, Justice Secretary and the Policing Minister to discuss the incidents of public disorder and unrest we have seen in towns and cities in recent days.
‘The Prime Minister began by thanking the police who responded to the violence committed by a small minority of thugs in Sunderland last night which injured four officers. Addressing the scenes of disorder we have seen today, the Prime Minister set out that the police have our full support to take action against extremists on our streets who are attacking police officers, disrupting local businesses and attempting to sow hate by intimidating communities.
The spokesperson added: ‘The Prime Minister ended by saying the right to freedom of expression and the violent disorder we have seen are two very different things. He said there is no excuse for violence of any kind and reiterated that the government backs the police to take all necessary action to keep our streets safe.’
Vandalism at Belfast anti-immigration demo being treated as hate crimes
Police in Northern Ireland said they are treating reports of criminal damage after an anti-immigration demonstration in Belfast as hate crimes.
Violence flared and businesses were attacked after the protest moved through the city.
Far-right groups face anti-racism protesters in Nottingham
At least three people were led away in handcuffs as demonstrators faced counter-protesters in Nottingham.
Counter-protesters holding placards saying ‘violence not welcome’ and ‘Nottingham against hate’ chanted ‘free Palestine’ and ‘Nazi scum off our streets’ as protesters with flags played the national anthem on a loudspeaker.
Police separated the two groups in King Street as projectiles including cans, bottles, eggs and fruit were thrown, with some hitting officers.
Police respond to disinformation spread by Tommy Robinson
Police have moved to dismiss false information being shared by far-right ringleader Tommy Robinson.
Cleveland Police has denied claims that the organiser of a march in Middlesbrough on Sunday had been arrested on terrorism charges.
They said a 29-year-old man was arrested on Friday over firearms offences.
English Defence League founder Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, better known as Tommy Robinson, had posted on Friday: ‘Lad who organised Middlesbrough march been locked up on terroism charges.’
But Cleveland Police said in a statement today: ‘We are aware of misinformation being shared on social media relating to a planned event in Middlesbrough tomorrow.
‘Cleveland Police has not arrested anyone in connection with terrorism offences.
‘A 29-year-old Middlesbrough man was arrested yesterday on suspicion of possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.
‘He remains in police custody being questioned and inquiries continue.’
Four arrested and three police officers injured at protests in Hull
Four people have been arrested following a protest which began in Hull city centre this afternoon.
Humberside Police said three of its officers have also suffered injuries.
Chief superintendent Darren Wildbore said: ‘We currently have a high policing presence whilst officers respond to disorder that is taking place in the area of Ferensway following a protest that began this afternoon.
‘Our officers have faced eggs and bottles being thrown and have made four arrests relating to public order offences.
‘We have also issued a dispersal order for the area and there will remain a visible police presence as they remain in the area to protect the safety of those in the community.
‘I can confirm that we have not deployed tear gas contrary to speculation in the media.
‘I continue to advise members of the public to avoid the area at this time.’
Shocking pictures show yobs throwing bricks at police in Liverpool
Number of officers injured in violent riots in Liverpool
A number of officers tackling violent thugs who are rioting in Liverpool city centre have been injured, Merseyside Police have confirmed.
Riot police have been targeted by far-right protesters this afternoon, with missiles being launched at officers, including bricks and bottles.
Merseyside Police has condemned the violence and warned that those responsible will be arrested.
The force said on X: ‘A number of officers have been injured as they deal with serious disorder in Liverpool city centre.
‘This behaviour, which puts the public and our officers in harms way, will not be tolerated.
‘And we will be arresting those responsible.’
Bricks, bottles and flares launched at police in Liverpool
Far-right protesters have become embroiled in full scale violence against the police in Liverpool city centre this afternoon.
A chair thrown by demonstrators hit an officer on the head.
Meanwhile crowds also launched bricks, bottles and a flare at riot police as they lined the road on The Strand.
Another officer on a motorbike was kicked and knocked off his vehicle by a protester and others tried to kick riot shields.
Merseyside Police have put a Section 34 dispersal order in place until 2.55pm tomorrow as a result of the ongoing violence.
Community engagement chief inspector Andy Fielding, said: ‘We have introduced this order in response to potential disorder in the city centre, following similar incidents which have taken place in Merseyside and other parts of the country this week.
‘We have increased patrols in the area to deal with any issues, and this dispersal zone gives officers extra powers to approach people they suspect may be there to commit anti-social behaviour or other crimes.
‘This order is to ensure residents and businesses are not subjected to any such behaviour, and I would ask people to continue reporting any concerns and we will take action.’
Far-right abuse police in Nottingham – and anti-racist protestors also march
Kickabout starts inside police cordon during Manchester protest
A group of people started playing football inside the police cordon at the protest in Manchester this afternoon.
Officers had kettled people in on Mosley Street – so naturally a kickabout started…
Sainsbury’s store in Manchester trashed by yobs
It appears a number of the group ran into the Sainsburyâs store on Mosley Street. This is the view from the front door of the shop. Police temporarily went in before continuing to pursue the group down the street pic.twitter.com/dxuNRHoqtD
— Chris Slater (@chrisslaterMEN) August 3, 2024
A group of thugs have caused chaos inside a Sainsbury’s supermarket in Manchester.
Yobs were chased along Mosley Street by police after trashing the store a short while ago.
Violent scenes escalating in Liverpool as thugs surround police and pelt them with bricks
Things are very much going from bad to worse in Liverpool this afternoon.
Thugs surrounded a group of riot officers at Mann Island and launched bricks at them from all directions.
One masked youth threw a brick at the back of a police officer as she held her riot shield in the other direction.
A scooter was also thrown.
One man collapsed to the floor after being punched.
Officers moved to surround him as he lay on the floor and his head was bandaged.
‘The police can’t protect the country because of stupid people like this’
A local resident in Manchester was out shopping with his mum when his day was ruined by the far-right protesters clashing with police today.
Christopher Bywater, 35, told our reporter Tom Sanders: ‘I’ve come out with my mum just doing local things and having a good time.
‘And then all of a sudden, I just saw loads of riot police, and I just saw all this.’
When asked what he makes of today’s ugly scenes, Christopher said: ‘I make it crazy. Funny thing is people come to Manchester just to come for a nice day out and they and you get this all the time.
‘It’s just ridiculous, and you see all these armed police. They’re not here to do all this. They’re here to protect the country, and they can’t protect the country because of stupid people like this.’
In pictures: Far-right clash with police in Liverpool
More pictures are coming in from Liverpool city centre this afternoon – and it’s not pleasant.
Far-right protesters are clashing with police and arrests have been made.
Riot police are in stand offs with mobs, many of which are carrying or draped in Union Jacks and St George’s Cross flags.
An utter mess across several of the UK’s major cities this afternoon.
