Jon King
Boy, 15, charged with violent disorder
A 15-year-old boy has become the first child in Northumbria to be charged by police with disorder after the recent protests.
The boy, who cannot be named because of his age, is due to appear at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court on Saturday (August 10), according to Northumbria Police.
Jon King
Two men plead guilty to violent disorder after unrest in Bristol
Two men are due to be sentenced after pleading guilty to violent disorder in Bristol last Saturday.
Daniel Russell, 47, of Church Road, Redfield, Bristol, and Mark Bowen, 40, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to violent disorder when they appeared at Bristol Magistrates' Court today, according to Avon and Somerset Police.
Russell was arrested after detectives reviewed footage which showed him kicking a man. He was then later seen lashing out at other protesters, shouting at and being aggressive towards police officers.
Bowen was arrested after he was recorded verbally abusing police officers and other members of the public.
The pair pleaded guilty when they appeared before magistrates in Bristol earlier today and were remanded into custody to appear at Bristol Crown Court on Wednesday for sentencing.
Deputy Chief Constable Jon Reilly said: "Our message has been consistent ever since the disgraceful disorder we saw on Saturday: If you were involved in criminality, we will identify you and we will arrest you.
"The behaviour of these two men was completely unacceptable. Their actions caused distress and fear in our communities and that is something we will not stand for.
"We’re continuing to review all footage from Saturday to identify those responsible. So far, 20 people have been arrested in connection with Saturday’s disorder and this number will continue to rise.
"What we saw from too many people last weekend was not legitimate protest - it was violent disorder, and violent disorder has no place in Avon and Somerset."
Jon King
CCTV images of people wanted over disorder released by police
Police forces across the country have released more CCTV images of people they would like to identify.
Merseyside Police has issued images of 12 people as part of an investigation into disorder in the county which saw 52 arrests and 22 people charged.
The force said it expects "these numbers are only going to increase" as a specialist team reviews hundreds of hours of footage and images.
Cleveland Police published images of 20 people it hopes to identify regarding disorder in Middlesbrough on Sunday and said its officers still had more than 100 people they wished to identify.
Merseyside Police is searching for these people (Image: Merseyside Police)
Jon King
Another man charged with violent disorder in Southport takes total to 22
A 22nd man has been charged in connection with violent disorder in Southport and Liverpool, Merseyside Police has said.
George Clements, 18, of Egerton Street, New Brighton, has been charged with violent disorder in Liverpool city centre on August 3.
He has been remanded in custody to appear at Liverpool Magistrates' Court on Monday (August 12).
Jon King
Nigel Farage's Reform UK headquarters to be target of counter-protesters
Five locations, including Nigel Farage's Reform UK headquarters in London, are to be targeted by counter-protesters demonstrating against the far-Right tomorrow.
Finsbury Park, in north London, Stratford and Whitechapel, both in east London, Brixton, in south London, and Westminster, which is the central London location of Reform's HQ, are set to see demonstrations.
Reform UK's HQ is among locations for anti-racism demos (Image: Getty)
Jon King
Police arrest 26 people in Northern Ireland
A total of 26 people have been arrested and 21 charged in relation to rioting in Northern Ireland.
Several arrests were made on Friday in relation to disorder over the past week.
Jon King
Anti-racism demos take place in Scotland for first time since riots
Anti-racism demonstrations have taken place in Scotland for the first time after the disorder in England and Northern Ireland.
The campaign group Stand Up To Racism Scotland organised the counter-protests in the towns of Bathgate in West Lothian and Paisley in Renfrewshire.
Anti-racism protesters in Paisley (Image: Getty)
Jon King
King Charles thanks police for restoring order
King Charles has offered his "heartfelt thanks" to the police for restoring order after speaking to Sir Keir Starmer and police leaders.
Buckingham Palace said Charles and the Prime Minister held a phone call on Friday evening.
Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, chairman of the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC), and UK Gold Commander Ben Harrington, Chief Constable of Essex Police, held a separate joint call with the King.
A Palace spokeperson said: "In these calls, His Majesty was updated on the current situation and expressed his heartfelt thanks to the police and emergency services for all they are doing to restore peace in those areas that have been affected by violent disorder."
Read the full story here
King Charles has thanked the police for restoring order (Image: Getty)
Max Parry
Ricky Jones remanded in custody
A suspended Labour councillor has been remanded in custody after he was charged with encouraging violence while addressing a crowd during an anti-fascist protest in Walthamstow, east London, on Wednesday.
Ricky Jones, 57, was wearing a Hugo Boss t-shirt and entered no pleas at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
Deputy Senior District Judge Tan Ikram said: “It is alleged that using a microphone you addressed a crowd at an anti-fascist protest and, talking about others you described as ‘disgusting Nazi fascists’, you said ‘we need to cut their throats and get rid of them’.”
He was remanded in custody to next appear at Inner London Crown Court on September 6.
Max Parry
Stacey Vint apprehended by officers after attacking them with flaming bin
Stacey Vint being detained by police during an anti-immigration protest in Middlesbrough.
Vint, 34, who has been jailed for 20 months for her involvement in riots in Middlesborough on Sunday.
Teesside Crown Court heard Vint was part of a group who set alight a wheelie bin then pushed it into a police cordon, and that in the process of doing so, she fell to the ground and was arrested.
Stacey Vint being detained (Image: PA)
Max Parry
Northumbria Police hunting man in connection with violent disorder in Sunderland
Northumbria Police are looking to speak to John Kirtley, 26, in connection with rioting in Sunderland on August 2.
\u2014 Northumbria Police (@northumbriapol) August 9, 2024#WANTED Have you seen this man?
John Kirtley, 26, knows he is wanted in connection with violent disorder offences in Sunderland on August 2 and is actively evading arrest.
Kirtley is encouraged to present himself at his nearest police station.
Max Parry
Four Hull teens charged with violent disorder
According to HullLive, four teenagers - three boys and a girl - have been charged over their role in the riots.
A 15-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been charged with burglary and violent disorder. He was remanded into custody to appear at Hull Magistrates Court at a later date.
A 15-year-old girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been charged with handling stolen goods and two counts of burglary. She was released on conditional bail to appear at Hull Magistrates Court at a later date.
A 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been charged with violent disorder. He was remanded into custody to appear at Hull Magistrates Court at a later date.
A third 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been charged with violent disorder, three counts of burglary, and criminal damage. He was remanded into custody to appear at Hull Magistrates Court at a later date.
Max Parry
Pictured: Stacey Vint - Middlesbrough rioter
Police share the mugshot of Stacey Vint.
Stacey Vint, 34 (Image: PA)
Max Parry
Stacey Vint jailed for pushing burning wheelie bin into police
A woman who pushed a burning wheelie bin into a police line before falling to the ground and being arrested has been jailed for 20 months.
Stacey Vint, 34, was sentenced for her part in the riots in Middlesbrough town centre on Sunday.
A court heard she was part of a group who set alight a wheelie bin then pushed it into a police cordon. In the process of doing so, Vint fell to the ground and was arrested.
Charlie Bullock, 21, who was described as “the main instigator” of a large group pushing against a police line and throwing stones and rocks at officers, was jailed for 18 months.
An earlier hearing was told Bullock was wearing a black balaclava as he threw stones at police who were trying to control the group on Linthorpe Road.
The court heard an officer took hold of him and he resisted, “kicking out and struggling”.
Vint and Bullock both pleaded guilty to violent disorder and were sentenced on Friday at Teesside Crown Court.
Max Parry
Kay said he was 'quite happy' to live in multicultural Hull despite call to set asylum hotel alight
Tyler Kay attempted to argue in the witness box, during evidence to the court regarding his guilty plea, that he was not racist and was “quite happy” to be part of a multicultural town.
The court heard that in the early hours of Wednesday he copied, pasted and reposted an X post originally tweeted by the wife of a Tory councillor – who has also been arrested – reading: “Set fire to all the f****** hotels full of the bastards”.
Judge Adrienne Lucking KC rejected Kay’s claim that he had not intended to stir up race hate, ruling that he was “intelligent, articulate and media savvy”.
The judge told Kay: “You have attempted to portray yourself as naive.
“I am sure that you knew that what you were posting would stir up racial hatred in others. The sentence I will impose will be the least sentence commensurate with the seriousness of the offence.”
Max Parry
Tyler Kay jailed for 38 months
Here is the mugshot of Tyler Kay, 26, who has been jailed more than three years.
He was sentenced at Northampton Crown Court for stitting up racial hatred by using social media platform X to call for hotels housing asylum seekers to be set alight.
Tyler Kay, 26 (Image: PA)
Max Parry
Tyler Kay jailed for calling on asylum seeker hotel to be set on fire
Father-of-three Tyler Kay, 26, has been jailed for 38 months at Northampton Crown Court after stirring up racial hatred by using social media to call for hotels housing asylum seekers to be set alight.
Max Parry
Parlour 'blows raspberry' as he leaves court
Leeds Crown Court heard how Jordan Parlour, 28, posted on Sunday about the Britannia Hotel, in the Seacroft area of the city, which was home to 210 refugees and asylum seekers.
He said on Facebook: “Every man and their dog should be smashing f*** out Britannia Hotel.”
The court heard Parlour posted the comments after the hotel had been targeted with people throwing missiles and breaking windows, and more attacks happened later.
The post was before a hotel housing asylum seekers in Rotherham was attacked, the court was told.
The Recorder of Leeds, Judge Guy Kearl KC, accepted Parlour took no part in the violence but said: “There can be no doubt you were inciting others to do so, otherwise why post the comments?”
Nicholas Hammond, defending, told the judge his client was “not part of any sinister group activity designed to stir up violence” and was “not affiliated with any group”.
The court heard that his mother wrote a letter to court which said: “We can only speculate he’s been caught up and swept away by emotions circulating throughout the country.”
Parlour, of Brooklands Close, Leeds, admitted publishing written material intended to stir racial hatred earlier this week.
He appeared to blow a raspberry as he was led from the court.
Jon King
Nearly 600 disorder arrests since Southport stabbings
The National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) has said 595 arrests have been made in relation to disorder across the country following the Southport stabbings attack.
NPCC chair Chief Constable Gavin Stephens said more than 150 people had been charged, with "more to come".
He told a media briefing Saturday would be "one of the strongest national policing responses that we've ever done".
Mr Stephens added: "We've got a busy weekend with sporting fixtures, big community events and so on. The investigations really are only just ramping up."
Ch Const Gavin Stephens speaking outside No.10 last week (Image: PA Images)
Max Parry
Man imprisoned for 20 months for inciting asylum seeker hotel attack
Jordan Parlour has been jailed for 20 months at Leeds Crown Court for publishing Facebook posts encouraging people to attack a hotel in the city housing more than 200 asylum seekers and refugees in the first case of its kind relating to recent nationwide disorder.
Max Parry
Police car pictured outside Birmingham mosque ahead of Friday prayers
A police vehicle has been seen parked outside the Birmingham Central Mosque as worshippers attend for Friday prayers.
A police parked outside the Birmingham Central Mosque (Image: SWNS)
Max Parry
'Coordinated response from community and police' outside East London Mosque after far-right threat
A large group of people as well as police could been outside the East London Mosque in Whitechapel, following a reported far-right threat.
Coordinated community and police response to a far-right threat at East London Mosque this afternoon, that, thankfully, hasn\u2019t materialised (so far). pic.twitter.com/R8LcZsWzPu
\u2014 Charlotte England (@CharlottEngland) August 9, 2024
Max Parry
'Rioters will be refused bail' - Belfast judge warns
A judge in Belfast has warned those caught observing or taking part in public disorder will be refused bail, as four men appeared in court charged in relation to recent riots in the city.
Judge Rafferty said that someone’s presence, including a “curious observer”, at disorder involves them in such disorder as he refused two bail applications.
A police officer told the court that police have been dealing with serious ongoing public disorder in Belfast in recent days.
Cameron Armstrong, 18, of Lewis Gardens in Belfast, was charged with rioting.
The court heard, on Wednesday, serious disorder broke out in the Connswater area of east Belfast, and that a police air observer was watching the disorder around the Grand Parade and Bloomfield Road areas.
Shortly before midnight, the air observer captured footage of a man, who the court was told was “heavily involved” in the disorder, breaking off from the group and run from Laburnum Street on to the Newtownards Road where he stopped at the Glider stop on the Holywood arches.
Aurora Bosotti
Labour councillor Ricky Jones charged with 'encouraging violent disorder'
Former Labour councillor Ricky Jones, 57, has been charged with one count of encouraging violent disorder after he was filmed addressing a crowd at a London demonstration on Wednesday evening, the Crown Prosecution Service said.
Writing on X, the Met Police said the Jones will be appearing in court on Friday afternoon.
They said: "Met investigators are pursuing dozens of cases following disorder.
"Ricky Jones, 57, from Dartford will appear in court this afternoon.
"He has been charged after giving a speech that could encourage others to commit offences."
(Image: X)
Aurora Bosotti
Impact statement exposed officer's fear during Rotherham clashes
A court has heard how a PCSO "feared" for his life while the police van he was in was targeted by rioters in Rotherham.
Kenzie Roughley, 18, is to be sentenced this afternoon after he admitted attacking a police van near an Aldi during unrest in Rotherham earlier this month.
Footage played at Sheffield Crown Court showed the defendant kicking and trying to break into the vehicle.
Prosecutor Neil Coxon told the court that the sole PCSO in the van "felt like the (it) was about to turn over".
An impact statement read: "I suddenly felt the vehicle start to rock from side to side. I could hear banging and kicking. I feared the van may turn over, and at the same time I received a message from control (asking) me to move out and escape the crowd.
"I got into the cab. I felt the van was going turn over and I feared for my life due to the volatility of the crowd. I started the vehicle and drove away.
(Image: Getty)
Aurora Bosotti
Man to appear in court after allegedly posing with fake AK-47
A man accused of possessing an imitation AK-47 after a video circulated on social media is due to appear in crown court next week.
Habeeb Khan, 49, was remanded into custody at Birmingham Magistrates' Court on Friday by District Judge David Wain after indicating a plea of not guilty to a charge of possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear or violence between August 5 and 6.
Khan, of Hickman Road in Birmingham, also faces a charge of sending a communication threatening death or serious harm between August 5 and 6 and using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress towards a police officer on August 7.
District Judge Wain said Habeeb had appeared in a video "holding a realistic imitation assault rifle" and remanded him into custody.
He will appear at Birmingham Crown Court on August 14.
Aurora Bosotti
Moment rioter blows his mum a kiss in court before being led to cells
Gareth Metcalfe, 44, of Cambridge Gardens in Southport, pleaded guilty at Liverpool Crown Court to violent disorder in the town on July 30.
The case was adjourned to Tuesday for sentence and Metcalfe was remanded in custody.
Judge Neil Flewitt KC said: “It is almost inevitable there will be a substantial immediate sentence of imprisonment.”
Metcalfe blew a kiss to a couple in the public gallery as he left the dock.
The man said: “Love you lad, see you next week.” The woman shouted: “Love you son”. As she left the court, the woman added: “That’s a big relief.”
Businesses in the Welsh capital have been warned of a potential far-right protest in the city centre with a parallel counter demonstration.
Aurora Bosotti
Two men have been jailed for an attack on 'pro-EDL' protesters
Leeds Crown Court was shown CCTV footage of a group of Asian men kicking and punching a smaller group of four white men, one of which was draped in a Union flag and wearing a Union flag mask.
Sameer Ali, 21, of West Park Drive, Leeds, and Adnan Ghafoor, 31, of Spen Bank, Leeds, both admitted affray earlier this week.
On Friday, Ali was jailed for 20 months and Ghafoor was jailed for 18 months, with Ghafoor being ordered to serve an additional 12 months for breaching an unrelated suspended sentence.
Graham O'Sullivan, representing Ali, said his client was provoked by "Islamophobic threats and abuse" from the group of white men, including comments like "f*** Allah" and the use of racial slurs.
Jailing the pair, the Recorder of Leeds, Judge Guy Kearl KC, said: "This was a group attack involving in excess of 10 men in circ*mstances of a heightened state of public concern and anxiety to which each of you have contributed."
Aurora Bosotti
Two men to appear for 'day of reckoning' next week after guilty plea
Two men have pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Bristol city centre on Saturday night.
Mark Bowen, 40, of no fixed address, and Daniel Russell, 47, of Redfield, Bristol, appeared separately before Bristol Magistrates' Court on Friday afternoon.
Both admitted the single charge against them and were remanded in custody ahead of their sentencing hearing at Bristol Crown Court on August 14.
District Judge Lynne Matthews described how Bowen commented to police: "I didn't even know what was going on, I don't have social media, I was just a drunk idiot".
The judge told Russell: "You will appear for your day of reckoning at the crown court at Bristol on Wednesda
Aurora Bosotti
Four men appear in Leeds court for sentencing over roles in recent unrest
Jordan Parlour, 28, is due to be sentenced on Friday as more suspected rioters are scheduled to appear in court.
Parlour indicated he admitted posting on Facebook between August 1 and August 5 in connection with the nationwide violent disorder.
The defendant, of Seacroft, Leeds, will appear at the city's crown court after being remanded into custody on Tuesday.
His online posts are also connected to the widespread disorder, and he was previously remanded in custody.
Joining Parlour at Leeds Crown Court are Sameer Ali and Adnan Ghafoor who will be sentenced for the charge of affray, and Jordan Plain for racially aggravated harassment.
Two men jailed for attack on 'pro-EDL' protesters
Aurora Bosotti
Starmer says government must 'look more broadly at social media after this disorder'
Prime Minister Keir Starmer issued a stern warning to social media companies as rioters continue to appear in court over a chaotic week.
Asked whether X owner Elon Musk should be "mindful" of who is allowed on the platform, Mr Starmer said: "I think people should be mindful of the first priority, which is to ensure that our communities are safe and secure.”
(Image: Getty)
Aurora Bosotti
Merseyside Police confirms another man charged in connection to riots
Another man has been charged in connection with violent disorder in Liverpool last week, Merseyside Police said.
Curtis Faure, 19, of Thomas Lane, Broadgreen, has been charged with violent disorder in Liverpool city centre.
Faure was remanded into custody to appear at Liverpool Magistrates Court on Friday August 9.
Aurora Bosotti
Case adjourned for Liverpool rioter charged with violent disorder
Jimmy Bailey, 45, of Station Avenue, Ellesmere Port, has pleaded not guilty to a charge of violent disorder at Liverpool Crown Court.
Bailey is accused of being involved in disorder in Paradise Street in Liverpool city centre on Saturday.
Judge Neil Flewitt KC adjourned the case to September 13, when a trial date will be set, and said consideration would be given to grouping defendants together for a trial.
Bailey was remanded in custody.
Aurora Bosotti
Liverpool rioter remanded into custody after not guilty plea
Lloyd Killner, 35, of Lincoln, pleaded not guilty at Liverpool Crown Court to violent disorder in Liverpool city centre on Saturday.
Judge Neil Flewitt KC remanded him in custody and adjourned the case to September 13.
As the defendant was led out of court he nodded and said, "Thank you."
Aurora Bosotti
Threat of more violence this weekend as police on high alert
English Football League (EFL) fans who “engage in violent, thuggish behaviour” face being dealt with quickly after days of violent disorder, a Cabinet Office minister has said.
Asked about fears “far-right groups could seek to exploit” fixtures after kick-off on Friday, Nick Thomas-Symonds told Sky News: “You always are vigilant about far-right activity and that is what the Government will continue to be.
“As I say, going into this weekend, it’s important that the message continues to go out that if you engage in violent, thuggish behaviour on our streets, you’re going to be dealt with quickly by the criminal justice system.
“We’ve already seen sentences of up to three years handed down, people now facing the inside of a prison cell because of the appalling way in which they’ve conducted themselves in recent days.
“But also we’ll continue to make those additional officers available and where there are communities with particular fears – I was in Bristol for example yesterday talking to Muslim community leaders – we will make sure that we make protection available to those communities as well. It’s hugely important.”
Aurora Bosotti
Cameras in court for Leeds riot sentencing
Four defendants at Leeds Crown Court will be sentenced on live television.
Watch the sentencing live via the video below.
Two men jailed for attack on 'pro-EDL' protesters
Aurora Bosotti
Activists call day of action to stop far right after week of protests
Campaign group Stand Up To Racism has called for a "national day of protest to stop the far-right" on Saturday in "every town and city", in a bid to counter the riots.
Mr Thomas-Symonds said: "Having spoken to police officers yesterday about the strain that they are under, the hours that they are working, I certainly don't think it helps for politicians to be encouraging even more people out on our streets."
He added: "Nonetheless, we should make that distinction between that tradition of British peaceful protest, which is very much part of our politics, and the violent thuggery we've seen on our streets.
"People who turn up outside with weapons are not coming to protest about anything, they are coming with criminal intent.
"We should be very clear about that distinction."
(Image: Getty)
Aurora Bosotti
Man spits at London bus driver and hurls vile racist abuse in appalling video
A shocking video has shown the moment a passenger spits at a London bus driver, bangs the glass and hurls vile racist abuse - with Transport for London working closely with police to track down the culprit.
The distressing clip, shared by former police officer and law and order campaigner Norman Brennan among others, was shot in the London borough of Hillingdon.
It shows the man, who has a strong Irish accent, in front of the door of a London bus, shouting at the driver.
READ MORE
(Image: X)
Aurora Bosotti
Northern Ireland Police appeals to public after fifth consecutive night of unrest
Police in Northern Ireland have appealed to the public to not allow criminals to hide in their communities, following another night of disorder.
The PSNI said it responded to several race-related hate crime incidents and other disorder on Thursday night.
Officers dealt with a number of reports of criminal damage to property including a car being set on fire and a window of a house being broken in Benburb Street.
Assistant Chief Constable Melanie Jones said: "Our officers dealt with a fifth night of incidents such as criminal damage, disorder and arson.
"Those who are intent on causing disorder or committing offences, need to think of the consequences of their actions.
"Yesterday we issued six images of people we want to speak to in relation to this recent disorder.
"One individual has since been identified and we thank the public for their assistance with this.
"Please look at these images and let us know if you can identify any of these individuals.
"I am also appealing to the public directly, do not let these criminals hide in your community."
(Image: Press Eye/Kelvin Boyes)
Aurora Bosotti
South Wales Police addresses reports of new planned protests
Welsh police have issued a new statement on riots in England to address concerns about similar unrest expanding into Wales over the weekend.
South Wales Police confirmed it was aware of a protest allegedly planned to take place in Swansea on Sunday but insisted there is "no reason to expect disorder."
They have urged the public to "think twice" about what they share from online sources.
Deputy Chief Constable Ifan Charles, from Dyfed-Powys Police, noted that disinformation has been a "huge driver of the appalling violence across the UK."
He added: "We have no reason to expect disorder in our four countries but we rightly have plans in place to deal with any disorder should it break out."
Aurora Bosotti
Ex-detective names one big event he says police will be seriously worried about
A former detective claims the Met Police could struggle to counter civil unrest if any protest groups strike during the Notting Hill Carnival later this month.
The popular Caribbean-inspired event see around two million people descend on west London, but is also known for bringing crime to the area, with reports of serious violence and disorder, including stabbings most years.
Thousands of police officers have traditionally been involved in policing the carnival.
In 2022 rapper Takayo Nembhard, 21, from Bristol, died in hospital after being stabbed at the carnival.
READ MORE
Youths armed with machetes run through Notting Hill Carnival
Aurora Bosotti
Thugs to learn their fate as they face jail after week of carnage
More of those arrested in the UK riots of the past week will appear in court on Friday - and about 150 charges have been brought over the unrest.
Defendants will be sentenced at Leeds Crown Court for racially aggravated harassment and publishing written material intended to stir up religious hatred.
Cases will also be heard at Crown Courts around the country, including Newcastle, Teesside, Liverpool, Sheffield and Inner London.
The arrest figure is expected to "continue to rise significantly", the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) said.
Keir Starmer addressed his third emergency Cobra meeting since the first riot in Southport on July 30 and after many planned protests failed to materialise on Wednesday night.
(Image: Getty)
Aurora Bosotti
Two charged over Hartlepool unrest
Cleveland Police said two men from Hartlepool have been charged with violent disorder following riots in the town on July 31.
Ben Judge, 28, of Moffitt Road, and Aaron Bradshaw, also 28, of Murray Street were detained on Wednesday and remanded into custody to appear at Teesside Magistrates' Court on Friday.
Aurora Bosotti
Keir Starmer tells police to remain on 'high alert' over disorder
In the third COBRA meeting convened over the riots, Sir Keir Starmer said that police need to remain on "high alert", the PA news agency understands.
He is understood to have said there was no doubt that levels of policing in the right places and swift justice over the past week, including sentencing, have acted as a deterrent to disorder.
Earlier in the day he told reporters that Wednesday night's events turned out "much better than was expected" and "anybody involving themselves in disorder, whatever they claim as their motive, will feel the full force of the law".
"It's important I repeat that because we need to make sure that in the coming days, we can give the necessary reassurance to our communities, many of whom - I've been talking to some this morning - are very anxious about the situation."
(Image: Getty)
Aurora Bosotti
First sentences expected for stirring up racial hatred following riots
Two men are set to be the first to face jail for stirring up racial hatred following widespread disorder across the country.
Tyler Kay, 26, and Jordan Parlour, 28, are due to be sentenced on Friday as more suspected rioters are scheduled to appear in court.
Parlour indicated he admitted posting on Facebook between August 1 and August 5 in connection with the nationwide violent disorder.
The defendant, of Seacroft, Leeds, will appear at the city's crown court after being remanded into custody on Tuesday.
Kay is due to appear at Northampton Crown Court charged with publishing written material which was threatening, abusive or insulting, intending thereby to stir up racial hatred.
His online posts are also connected to the widespread disorder, and he was previously remanded in custody.
(Image: Getty)
Aurora Bosotti
Amnesty UK breaks silence after activist clapped Labour councillor's 'cut throats' threat
Amnesty International has spoken to one of its activists after she was pictured applauding a Labour councillor’s call for right-wing protesters to “have their throats cut”.
Ricky Jones, an elected councillor in Dartford, was caught on camera at an anti-racism protest in Walthamstow delivering an incendiary speech.
READ MORE
Aurora Bosotti
Rioters could be freed early under Starmer’s prison overcrowding plan
Dozens of people have been jailed in relation to offences commited during the recent riots up and down the country, but they could be released from prison early under the Government’s scheme to tackle overcrowding in prison.
Authorities have pushed for the quick sentencing of people who have been behind the violence and Sir Keir Starmer told an emergency Cobra meeting that police need to remain on "high alert", amid fears more riots will break out over the coming weeks.
Scores of people have been arrested and the first have been sent to prison, ranging from pensioners armed with a cosh to 15, 16 and 17-year-old boys caught in the middle of the chaos.
READ MORE
(Image: Getty)
Aurora Bosotti
Rioters to be sentenced on live TV
Four defendants at Leeds Crown Court will be sentenced on live TV, including Jordan Parlour for stirring up racial hatred in a Facebook post, Sameer Ali and Adnan Ghafoor for affray, and Jordan Plain for racially aggravated harassment.
(Image: Getty)
Aurora Bosotti
Pensioner and couple playing bingo jailed over UK riots as thugs named and shamed
A couple who became involved in disorder after a bingo session are among the latest rioters to be jailed across the country.
There were 21 convictions in total on Thursday (August 8), according to the BBC, with more rioters to appear in the dock in the coming days as cases are fast-tracked through the courts.
Former postmaster and school governor Steven Mailen, 54, and his partner Ryan Sheers, 29, were each handed a prison sentence of two years and two months at Teesside Crown Court on Thursday. Mailen, of Arch Court, Hartlepool, was described as "one of the main instigators" of a large-scale disturbance in Murray Street, Hartlepool, on July 31.
READ MORE
(Image: Getty)
Aurora Bosotti
Lee Anderson accuses Keir Starmer of 'chucking petrol on the fire' in epic rant
Sir Keir Starmer ‘might as well have chucked petrol on the fire’ with his comments in the days after Britain was rocked by widespread rioting, Lee Anderson has blasted - with the outspoken Reform UK MP telling the Prime Minister: "This is at your door."
Violence flared in multiple locations last week, with mobs surrounding two hotels believed to be accommodating asylum seekers, in Rotherham and Tamworth, attempting to set fire to both.
Mr Starmer himself has said those responsible will face the “full force of the law”, singling out what he called "far-right thuggery”.
However, Mr Anderson, speaking on GB News, took the PM to task as he claimed Parliament itself was to blame for the public disorder - while backing his own party leader.
READ MORE
(Image: Getty)
Aurora Bosotti
Social media platforms under fire as top minister demands action to stop violence
Home Office minister Dame Diana Johnson said social media giants have an "obligation" to deal with criminal offences being committed on their platforms.
She said: "If there are criminal offences being committed on social media platforms now, then these social media companies have an obligation now to deal with that.
"If they're having incitement to violence on their platforms, that needs to be dealt with now, today. We don't need the Online Safety Act to deal with that."
Cumbria Police said a man was jailed within 24 hours of posting racially aggravated, offensive online content on social media.
Billy Thompson, 31, of Mill Street, Maryport, admitted an offence under section 127 of the Communications Act and was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison.
The court heard how, on Wednesday, he posted a racially aggravated and threatening comment on a Facebook social media post informing the public of a dispersal order being imposed in Carlisle relating to potential planned disorder, police said.
He was arrested the same day, charged on Thursday and appeared before North Cumbria Magistrates' Court and was in jail by the evening.
(Image: Getty)
Aurora Bosotti
Total number of arrests hit 483 on August 8
The National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) confirmed 483 people have been arrested in connection to the UK riots so far.
They said they expect the number to "continue rising" as NPCC chairman Gavin Stephens suggested police patrols could be stepped up at lower league matches at the start of the football season this weekend amid concerns there could be flare-ups at forthcoming fixtures.
He said: "We've seen on the footage that we get back from the scene, young people, children, are on the fringes of it, and in that mob mentality can get drawn in.
"I think the youngest arrest was 11 years old. So, I think to have conversations with young people, children, teenagers over the course of the next few days is really, really important."
(Image: Getty)
Aurora Bosotti
Nigel Farage responds to Elon Musk after he makes bold claim about the UK
Nigel Farage responded to Tesla founder Elon Musk as he challenged the relationship between mainstream media providers with the British Government.
Mr Musk repeatedly took to his own social media platform, X, to voice his opinion about the UK and the ongoing racially-motivated unrest that has rocked the country for the past week. He was particularly critical of Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
In a video shared on X, which was formerly known as Twitter, the Reform UK leader addressed the billionaire's questions about mainstream media coverage of Mr Starmer and his Government's work.
Mr Farage said: "Elon Musk asks a very important question - why do the UK media, with a few exceptions, just parrot the government?
"Well, I'll tell you why, Elon. It's dead simple. It's called consensus."
READ MORE
(Image: X/Nigel Farage)
Aurora Bosotti
Good morning
Good morning from London. I’m Aurora Bosotti, I’ll be bringing you all the latest developments on the UK riots. Please feel free to get in touch with me as I work if you have a story or tips to share! Your thoughts are always welcome.
Email: aurora.bosotti@reachplc.com
