Authorities in the UK are facing growing pressure to stop England's worst riots in 13 years. The unrest started after false reports about a mass stabbing that killed three young girls earlier this week and has since spread to multiple towns and cities. The riots are linked to child murders and far-right groups, with anti-immigration protesters clashing with police in several places. This situation is a big challenge for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who became PM just a month ago after leading Labour to a huge win over the Conservatives.
In the latest incident on Sunday, masked anti-immigration protesters broke several windows at a hotel in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, where asylum seekers were staying, according to a report by AFP.
On Saturday, more than 90 people were arrested after clashes at far-right rallies in Liverpool, Manchester, Bristol, Blackpool, Hull, and Belfast. Rioters threw bricks, bottles, and flares at police, injuring several officers. They also looted and set shops on fire. Demonstrators shouted anti-Islamic insults as they clashed with counter-protesters, according to AFP.
UK Riots: 147 Arrested Since Saturday, PM Starmer Condemns Violence
Since Saturday night, 147 people have been arrested across the UK, and that number is expected to go up, according to BJ Harrington from the National Police Chiefs’ Council. Harrington blamed misinformation for causing the "terrible violence," saying that many posts are being shared and spread by well-known accounts.
He also warned those involved in the riots, saying, “Our teams are working day and night to find and arrest those responsible, and if we haven't knocked on your door yet, we will soon.”
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the "thugs" for using the country's grief to "spread hatred." He announced plans to improve intelligence sharing, use facial-recognition technology more widely, and issue criminal behavior orders to limit troublemakers' movements.
"Make no mistake, those involved in this violence will face the full force of the law," he said.
He said the violence was aimed at people because of their skin color or faith and stressed that there is no excuse for this on Britain's streets.
"It doesn't matter what the supposed reason is. This is not a protest; it is organized violent thuggery," he said.
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UK Riots: Why Is Britain in Turmoil?
Agitators have targeted mosques in Southport and Sunderland, leading hundreds of Islamic centers to increase their security. Far-right rallies, promoted on social media under the slogan "Enough is enough," have featured participants waving English and British flags and chanting slogans like "Stop the boats," referring to irregular migrants coming from France. In Leeds, anti-fascist protesters countered with shouts of "Nazi scum off our streets" while far-right demonstrators chanted, "You're not English anymore."
Although not all gatherings turned violent, a peaceful protest in Aldershot on Sunday included signs that read "Stop the invasion" and "We're not far right, we're just right." Karina, 41, from Nottingham, told AFP, "People are fed up with being told you should be ashamed if you're white and working class, but I'm proud to be white and working class."
Commentators believe the protesters, encouraged by online influencers, may feel emboldened by the growing influence of anti-immigration elements in British politics. Last month's election saw the far-right Reform UK party, led by Nigel Farage, win 14 percent of the vote—a significant share for a far-right party. Carla Denyer, co-leader of the Green Party, said the unrest should be "a wake-up call to all politicians who have actively promoted or given in to anti-immigration rhetoric.
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