Sir Keir Starmer criticises “thugs” who staged demonstrations in response to the attack that killed three young girls, stating that he will not tolerate a “breakdown of law and order on our streets.”.
The prime minister has stated that a police unit will be established to combat violent disturbances across the country following riots by far-right groups in response to the Southport stabbings.
Following the incident that killed three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dancing lesson, Sir Keir Starmer vowed to prevent a “breakdown of law and order on our streets” in Southport, Hartlepool, and London.
During a press conference inside Downing Street, the prime minister slammed a “tiny, mindless minority in our society” for forcing a “grieving” community to “suffer twice” by staging a rally in the aftermath of the stabbing.
“A gang of thugs got on trains and buses and went to a community that was not their own,” claimed Sir Keir.
“[They] then started throwing stones at police officers. Police officers had just dealt with an attack on youngsters in their town the day before. “Their community.”
In announcing the unit to combat rioting, he stated that the government will develop “national capability” across police units to combat “violent disorder.”.
“These thugs are mobile,” he added.
“They travel from community to community. And we need a police response that can do the same.”
On Monday, an attack at the Hart Space community centre in Southport, near Liverpool, killed Bebe King, six; Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven; and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine.
Eight more youngsters were stabbed, with five now stable after being in serious condition and two released from the hospital. Two people remain in critical condition.
The incident began on Tuesday night outside a Southport mosque, when rioters attacked officers and set fire to a police van.
On Wednesday night, the disorder expanded to other parts of the UK, including London and Hartlepool.
The Metropolitan Police claimed 111 people were arrested in London last evening after flares were thrown at Downing Street’s gates, while others flung cans and glass bottles as riot police were deployed.
Demonstrators carrying England flags hoisted “Stop the Boats” placards after social media posts falsely reported that the three girls were killed by a Muslim asylum seeker.
TThe Metropolitan Police Department reported that a few officers had minor injuries, and those arrested were charged with a range of felonies, including assault on an emergency worker, violent disturbance, and violating protest regulations.
After demonstrators in Hartlepool flung eggs, missiles, and glass bottles at police officers, eight people were arrested for a range of offenses, with more arrests expected.
In addition to a police car being set on fire, additional officers who were there suffered minor injuries.
Sir Keir spoke to the media after meeting with the chiefs of police today. During the conversation, he indicated his support for police commanders receiving the necessary authority to prevent future riots.
He told journalists that the purpose of the meeting this afternoon was not to “point the finger of blame,” but rather to “pull together our response both to the immediate challenge, which is clearly driven by far-right hatred, but also to any violent disorder that flares up.”
He added that the government will increase its use of shared intelligence, facial recognition technology, and “preventative action” such as criminal behavior orders that restrict people’s movements before they attempt to join in another rally. He also claimed that the administration intends to make greater use of this technology.
Furthermore, Downing Street has stated that local information and data will be used and that the British Transport Police will be asked to notify local law enforcement agencies in areas where they notice an increase in the number of rail ticket purchases that could be linked to an organized violent disturbance.
In addition, the Prime Minister stated that he was making it quite clear that the disturbances that have taken place throughout the three places are not “protests.”
His statement was, “It is not legitimate.”
“It is a criminal act. a disorder that is violent. An assault on the rule of law, the administration of justice, and criminal justice. As a result, we will put an end to it on behalf of the people of the United Kingdom, who have the right to trust that their safety and their values will be protected.
A teenager, aged 17, was charged with the deaths of three females in Southport, as well as the attempted murders of ten other girls, and he was also found to be in possession of a knife. The charges were brought against him on Wednesday night.
In spite of the fact that he was not named at first because of his age, a judge finally named him Axel Rudakubana this morning.
Originally hailing from the nearby community of Banks, Rudakubana was born in Cardiff, which is located in Wales.
After the violent disturbance that followed, the stabbings were “clearly whipped up online,” and Sir Keir also had some harsh words to say about the firms that operate social media platforms.
Adding, “That is also a crime,” he stated. “The event is taking place on your property. In addition, the legislation must be enforced in every location.