New Police Unit to Combat Violence Following UK Riots; Prime Minister Keir Starmer Condemns ‘Thuggish’ Demonstrators

A new police squad is being established to address violence throughout the UK following riots triggered by the Southport stabbings. Sir Keir Starmer condemned the "thugs" responsible for the protests after the incident, which resulted in the deaths of three young girls. He emphasized his commitment to preventing the collapse of law and order in public spaces.

Political correspondent @Journoamrogers

Friday, August 2, 2024, 3:

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The Prime Minister has declared the formation of a new police task force dedicated to addressing violent unrest nationwide, following riots instigated by extremist right-wing factions in response to the stabbings in Southport.

Sir Keir Starmer declared his commitment to preventing "a collapse of law and order in our streets" after violent incidents occurred in Southport, Hartlepool, and London, sparked by an attack that claimed the lives of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class.

During a press conference at Downing Street, the prime minister condemned a small, senseless group within our society, accusing them of causing a community already in mourning to endure additional suffering by organizing a protest following the stabbing incidents.

"Sir Keir stated that a group of violent individuals boarded trains and buses to travel to a neighborhood that was not their own."

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"They then began hurling bricks at law enforcement officers, who just a day before had responded to an assault on children within their own community."

In his statement, he revealed that a new division would be formed to address riotous behavior, noting that the government plans to create a "national capability" within police departments to manage "violent disorder."

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"He explained that these criminals move around."

"They shift from one neighborhood to another. Therefore, our law enforcement response needs to be equally mobile."

Six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe, and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar tragically lost their lives in an incident at The Hart Space community center in Southport, close to Liverpool, on Monday.

Eight other children sustained stabbing injuries, five of whom have stabilized after initially being in critical condition, while two have been released from the hospital. Two adults continue to be in critical condition.

Clashes erupted outside a mosque in Southport on Tuesday evening, with protesters assaulting police personnel and torching a police vehicle.

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Subsequently, the unrest extended to additional areas in the UK, such as London and Hartlepool, by Wednesday evening.

The Metropolitan Police reported that 111 individuals were detained in London last night after flares were hurled at the gates of Downing Street, with some also throwing cans and glass bottles as riot police were brought in.

Protesters adorned with England flags held up signs that read "Stop the boats" following incorrect claims on social media that a Muslim asylum seeker was responsible for the murder of three girls.

The Metropolitan Police reported that several of its officers suffered minor injuries, and individuals were taken into custody for various charges such as violent disorder, assaulting an emergency worker, and violating protest regulations.

In Hartlepool, police arrested eight individuals on multiple charges, with additional arrests anticipated, following a demonstration where protestors hurled objects, including glass bottles and eggs, at officers.

Multiple officers sustained minor injuries and a police vehicle was set ablaze.

Today, following a discussion with top law enforcement officers, Sir Keir spoke to the press, expressing his backing for granting police the necessary authority to prevent upcoming disturbances.

He informed the press that the purpose of today's meeting was not to assign blame, but to coordinate our response to the immediate crisis, primarily fueled by extreme right-wing hatred, as well as other instances of violent unrest.

He stated that the government plans to increasingly utilize collective intelligence, facial recognition systems, and proactive measures like criminal behavior orders that limit individuals' movements before they can participate in further protests.

Downing Street announced that local knowledge and data will be utilized, with the British Transport Police being requested to notify local police forces when they observe an increase in train ticket purchases that may be connected to coordinated violent unrest.

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The prime minister emphasized that the disturbances occurring in three different areas should not be considered "protests."

"He declared it to be illegitimate," he stated.

"This is criminal behavior, a chaotic disturbance that attacks both the rule of law and the administration of justice. Therefore, representing the expectations of the British public for their values and safety to be maintained, we are committed to ending it."

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On Wednesday evening, authorities charged a 17-year-old male with the murder of three girls in Southport, alongside charges of attempting to murder 10 additional individuals and carrying a knife.

This morning, a judge identified him as Axel Rudakubana, after he was initially not named because of his age.

Rudakubana hails from the neighboring village of Banks and originated in Cardiff, Wales.

Sir Keir sternly addressed social media platforms, pointing out that the chaos and violence ensuing from the stabbings were evidently fueled through online activities.

He stated, "That's a crime as well. It's occurring on your property, and the law needs to be enforced everywhere."

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