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Police are braced for more than 100 protests across the country tonight as far-right groups target immigration services, The Independent understands.
Officers are also expecting more than 30 counter protests, as 6,000 riot officers prepare for another evening of potential unrest.
A list of as many as 39 immigration law specialists’ offices, asylum support charities and immigration services is believed to have been widely circulated on social media over recent days, identifying their addresses as targets for far-right demonstrations on Wednesday – alongside flame emojis and calls to “mask up”.
It comes as Derek Drummond, 58, of Pool Street, Southport, has been sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court to three years in prison after he admitted violent disorder and assaulting an emergency worker in Southport on July 30.
He is the first person to receive a substantial prison sentence for taking part in the violence that has rocked parts of the UK over the past week.
Earlier in the week, Sir Keir announced a “standing army” of 6,000 specialist police officers to quell the ongoing violence after eight days of unrest across England and in Northern Ireland– and amid fears of more on Wednesday.
Another 20 people were charged overnight, the Crown Prosecution Service said, bringing the total to more than 140, as police chiefs continued to warn rioters they could “expect a knock at the door”.
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Black MP to join counter protest despite ‘risk from mob of racists’
A Labour MP has said he will take part in a counter-protest tonight despite it being “at possible risk from a mob of racists”.
Clive Lewis of Norwich wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that he will be going to a solidarity protest outside one of the asylum hotels.
He wrote: “I’m proud to stand with my community here in Norwich – to stop violence – not start it. And to show the residents of the hotel they’re not alone. The reason [Nigel] Farage and [Lee] Anderson won’t stand with their racist thug mates is because they know there is no moral equivalence between solidarity and racist violence.”
Mr Lewis has spoken before about proudly being Black. His father was born and raised in Grenada. Radio 4 presenter Nick Robinson introduced Mr Lewis as the “only non-white MP running to succeed Jeremy Corbyn” in the leadership race in 2020.
To which Mr Lewis responded: “Well let’s just roll back a second, I, like millions of black people, billions of black people, across the world don’t like to define myself by what I’m not – I am actually black.”
Rachel Hagan7 August 2024 15:40
Man arrested for carrying a wooden stick at a counter-protest
A man has been remanded in custody accused of possessing a wooden stick as an offensive weapon at a counter-protest in Birmingham, after claiming the item is a religious staff.
Shehraz Sarwar, 46, is alleged to have been in possession of the stick, which had cord wrapped around it, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse at a gathering in the Bordesley Green area at about 5pm on Monday.
A 20-minute hearing at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court was told Sarwar, from Saltley, claims to have carried the stick in the area and neighbouring Alum Rock for the past 11 years.
District Judge David Murray was told Sarwar, who pleaded not guilty, was identified by neighbourhood officers as someone captured on Sky News’ coverage of the counter-protest.
Sarwar, who is not accused of involvement in violent disorder, said “I never done nothing, judge” and “give me a chance” as he was remanded until a second bail hearing on August 15.
A trial date was set for September 23.
Salma Ouaguira7 August 2024 15:36
Head of Counter Terrorism Policing vows no hesitation if disorder crosses into terrorism
As UK policing prepares for further public disorder across the country, the Head of Counter Terrorism Policing Assistant Commissioner Matt Jukes said his officers will be watching to see if the disorder spills over into terrorism.
He 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.”
Barney Davis7 August 2024 15:35
Labour’s Naz Shah accuses Robert Jenrick of ‘textbook Islamophobia’
Labour MP Naz Shah has accused Robert Jenrick of “complete ignorance and textbook islamophobia” after claiming people shouting “Allahu Akbar” on the streets should be arrested.
The MP for Bradford West tweeted:
Salma Ouaguira7 August 2024 15:23
Just Stop Oil to pause actions amid ‘civil unrest’
The climate protest group Just Stop Oil has announced its pausing all actions while the country deals with “civil unrest.”
They added: “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.”
The unrest is “a taste of what science is telling us will happen” because of climate change causing instability, the group said.
Rachel Hagan7 August 2024 15:20
Jenrick claims aggressively chanting ‘Allahu Akbar’ is intimidatory
Robert Jenrick has responded to condemnation across the Muslim community after claiming that people declaring “Allahu Akbar” should be detained.
The Conservative MP said although the phrase is peacefully used by millions of Muslims, it is “intimidatory” if chanted aggressively.
Sharing a video on X of men in balaclavas chanting “Allahu Akbar”, Mr Jenrick said: “’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.”
It comes as the Muslim Council of Britain strongly condemned the Tory leadership’s remarks accusing him of “Islamophobic rhetoric”.
Salma Ouaguira7 August 2024 15:16
Teen appears in court accused of setting a wheelie bin on fire
A teenager has appeared in court accused of setting a wheelie bin on fire in a County Durham town before smashing the window of a pizzeria and racially abusing the occupants.
Prosecutors say the incident happened on Monday in Willington “against the background of national disorder and unrest that has been seen since last week”.
Leah Lee, 19, denied a charge of violent disorder following the incident in Willington on Monday. She is alleged to have been with other people who were wearing balaclavas at the time.
The court heard the group allegedly set a bin on fire before walking to a pizzeria, where Lee is accused of throwing items at a window, which smashed.
The group “surrounded” the premises while being racially abusive and Lee is alleged to have been “at the forefront of that behaviour”.
The defendant appeared in front of a district judge at Teesside Magistrates Court, via a video link from Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court. She was remanded in custody until her next appearance at a crown court on August 28.
Salma Ouaguira7 August 2024 15:15
Woman in court accused of threatening to ‘blow up a mosque with adults inside’
A woman has appeared in court accused of sending a threatening message suggesting to “blow up a mosque with adults inside”, a court official said.
Julie Sweeney, 53, of Lawtongate Estate, Church Lawton, Cheshire, appeared before Warrington Magistrates’ Court today charged with sending communication threatening death or serious harm.
Court papers allege that on 3 August, at Church Lawton, the defendant “sent a message that conveyed a threat of death or serious harm, namely, suggesting to ‘blow up a mosque with adults inside’, intending, or being reckless as to whether, an individual encountering the message would fear that the threat would be carried out”.
Sweeney has not entered a plea to the charge and has been remanded in custody until a hearing at Chester Crown Court on 14 August.
Salma Ouaguira7 August 2024 15:05
High street shops boarding up windows in west London ahead of expected riots
Shops in Hounslow are boarding up early in preparation for expected riots.
Shoppers were seen being turfed out of H&M and other high street shops at around 2pm hours before their scheduled closing time.
Police remain braced for further unrest as they monitor reports of at least 100 possible gatherings amid threats against immigration law specialists across the country.
Businesses in areas listed as possible targets said they feel “apprehensive” about the planned disorder on Wednesday evening and are taking precautions including removing valuables from their shops and closing early.
In North Finchley, London, workers were seen boarding up shops while local restaurants had their shutters down on Wednesday afternoon while police patrolled the area.
Orange posters bearing the words “refugees welcome” were also seen around the high street.
Barney Davis7 August 2024 15:03
Pictured: Two more men charged with racially aggravated assaults
Two men have been charged with racially aggravated assaults and public order offences following protests in Manchester at the weekend, Greater Manchester Police said.
Alex Fraser, 20, of Oldham Road, Manchester, and Matthew Wilson, 31, of Parrock Street, Rossendale, Lancashire, have been remanded into custody to appear at Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court later on Wednesday.
Salma Ouaguira7 August 2024 15:01
