UK police investigating riots led by the far right said they have made more than 700 arrests for alleged offences, and promised “hundreds” more to come.
Of the 741 arrests, 32 relate to online offences such as incitement, and the scale of the operation is shown by the fact the arrest took place in 36 of the 43 force areas across England and Wales.
Arrests include allegations of violent disorder, theft and antisocial behaviour, and police say the investigations across the country would probably last for months to come.
Photo: AFP
The figures come as communities and forces brace for more potential gatherings that could tip into violence, with police continuing with their biggest mobilization to face down a public order threat since the 2011 riots across England.
The new figures were issued by the UK National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC). The figures include Northern Ireland, where police have arrested 26 people and charged 21 in relation to rioting.
Detectives are using a variety of sources to identify suspects, including drone and body-worn video footage. BJ Harrington, a chief constable who is the national lead for public order, said that facial recognition, which is being used retrospectively, can identify people even if they are wearing masks.
Police chiefs are convinced their constant public messages about swift and robust justice would continue to act as a deterrent to some who might be tempted to join in the violent disorder seen in England and Northern Ireland since Tuesday last week.
The latest police statement is part of that campaign.
The violence broke out after false information about the suspect of the stabbings in Southport that left three young girls dead was widely shared online.
The violence has in part been stoked by the extremist far right, and has involved a strong anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant sentiment. Some people arrested joined in spontaneously, police said.
The past two nights have been quieter, but police said 6,000 riot officers would be deployed over the weekend as officers wait to see if the worst of the violence has passed.
NPCC chairman Gavin Stephens said: “While the previous two nights have been a welcome break from the appalling scenes of the last week, and may have reached a turning point, we are by no means complacent,” he said.
“Our message to those involved in violence is that we continue to comb through thousands of images, live streams and videos as well as body-worn footage to find you,” he added.
“We are grateful to those who are calling us to identify those in the images circulated by forces. We are also grateful for the many messages of support to the officers, staff and volunteers that have faced hatred, racial abuse and violence whilst doing their job,” he said.
Police declined to say how many potential gatherings they expect this weekend. Police said they expected 160 far right-led gatherings on Wednesday, but only 30 took place with little or no incident, and with anti-racists taking to the streets to defend those under attack.
Stephens said: “The strong message that communities sent on Wednesday evening that they don’t tolerate hate and racism and violence, also, as potentially the start of a turning point in this whole thing.”
“I think the mood is different as a consequence of all that,” he added.
Harrington said: “I would not say we are not worried. But what we are is prepared … policing’s got a grip of this.”
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