Far-right riots quelled – but for how long?

Far-right riots expected across England last night did not transpire. Rather, it was anti-racist protesters that filled the streets. Thousands of officers were out on patrol in anticipation of the worst day of rioting so far, after messages on far-right Telegram channels indicated that members were preparing to target up to 100 locations, predominantly immigration support offices. 

Counter-protests took place across the country including in Newcastle, Birmingham, London and Brighton. 

Met Police chief Sir Mark Rowley said it was a “very successful night,”, adding that “the show of force from the police and frankly the show of unity from communities, together defeated the challenges that we’ve seen.”

While the far fewer clashes than expected last night is encouraging, does Rowley risk speaking too soon? Police intelligence indicates that there are further far-right riots planned and heightened security will likely continue until mid-August. 

There were still pockets of violence last night including in Bristol, where a man was arrested after throwing a brick at police. Five were arrested in Kent, where far-right protests, and counter-protests, took place. Ten were also arrested in London last night inconnection with earlier violent disorder in Whitehall on 31 July where bottles and cans were thrown at police near the statue of Winston Churchill in Parliament Square. At least 101 initial arrests have now been made in connection with the riots over offences including violent disorder, assaults on police officers and possession of offensive weapons.

Two men have been sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court after the initial riot in Southport. John Paul O’Malley, 43, and William Nelson Morgan, 69, both jailed for 32 months. O’Malley had two previous convictions, on drink driving and assault. Sir Mark Rowley has said that most of those arrested in connection with the violent protests -around 70 per cent – had a history of criminal behaviour. O’Malley was part of the mob throwing bricks at police while Morgan was charged for both violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon, a wooden bat.

Amid the start of sentencing, the policing minister, Dame Diana Johnson, who said she was “cautiously welcoming” the relative peace of last night, has also suggested that convicted rioters could be banned from events such as football matches.

While Keir Starmer has resisted pleas to recall parliament over the disorder, Stormont has been recalled from its summer break in North Ireland to condemn the riotous activity in Belfast.

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