Bolton and Hull condemn violent scenes as Keir Starmer addresses nation over the riots taking place in towns and cities across the country.
Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, called it “far-right thuggery”, giving a speech to the nation on Sunday, expressing his determination to bring those responsible for the disorder to justice.
Over 147 people have been arrested so far following violence and disorder across the country following a weekend of more rioting, with police warning that further violence is likely in the coming days as more rioting take place.
Several towns and cities in England and Northern Ireland saw violent clashes involving far-right demonstrators, with dozens of police officers left injured.
The numbers of violent incidents has risen over the past few days, beginning on Tuesday in Southport, after three girls were killed in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance.
There has been protests, disorder and arrests made in Manchester, Hull, Liverpool, Bristol, Stoke-on-Trent, Blackpool, Belfast, Sunderland, Hartlepool, Weymouth, Blackpool, Southport, Leeds, Aldershot, Leicester, London, Rotherham, Middlesbrough with missiles thrown and shops looted.
đ¨ BREAKING: Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s full address to the nation about the riots on Britain’s streets pic.twitter.com/kluETspjXT
â Politics UK (@PolitlcsUK) August 4, 2024
Bolton posted the following tweet: A message from our Chairman, Sharon Brittan:
“Bolton is a town that has been enriched by different communities over many generations and we, as a club, have been appalled by the hatred and gratuitous violence shown across the country.
“This must never be tolerated or accepted.
“Let us show that we are stronger when we stand together as one club, one community, one town. đ¤”
While Hull City wrote the following: “Acts of racism, violence and vandalism have no place in society and Hull City strongly condemn the actions of those that have caused severe distress across the weekend.
“The minority do not represent our city, our people or the values we uphold.
“Solidarity and resilience shown throughout our community in response to these events continues to inspire.
“Alongside the emergency services, people of all ages, backgrounds and beliefs stand shoulder to shoulder to clean and rebuild, demonstrating that the spirit of Hull is stronger than any act of violence.
“Hull City stands with the wider community and remains committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and positive environment for all. We believe in the power of unity and no matter race or religion, we are one family.”
A message from our Chairman, Sharon Brittan:
Bolton is a town that has been enriched by different communities over many generations and we, as a club, have been appalled by the hatred and gratuitous violence shown across the country.
This must never be tolerated or accepted.⌠pic.twitter.com/kRUwn5nb82
â Bolton Wanderers (@OfficialBWFC) August 4, 2024
Acts of racism, violence and vandalism have no place in society and Hull City strongly condemn the actions of those that have caused severe distress across the weekend.
The minority do not represent our city, our people or the values we uphold.
â Hull City (@HullCity) August 4, 2024
It comes days after Sunderland issued a statement of their own condemning the âshamefulâ riot which took place in the city on Friday night as footage emerges online.
This is the latest episode of unrest to break out after the killing of three young girls during a knife attack in Southport on Monday.
Rioters targeted a mosque with as police forming a human shield. A police station was also set on fire to, with three police officers left injured and a total of eight arrests.
The unrest also saw cans, bottles, bins and bricks were thrown at police, shops looted, cars being overturned, a taxi set on fire and the street being covered in leftover damage and smashed glass.
The Championship outfit tweeted: âTonightâs shameful scenes do not represent our culture, our history, or our people. Our great city is built on togetherness and acceptance, and Sunderland will forever be for all. We are stronger as one community. Now. Then. Always. â¤ď¸đ¤â
Sunderland issues statement condemning ‘shameful’ riot in the city as footage emerges
National Police Chiefsâ Council lead for public order, BJ Harrington said:
âBoth myself and senior officers across the country promised there would be swift, decisive police action against criminals who try to disrupt our communities. Thatâs what we have delivered.
“Since last night there have been 147 arrests connected to violence in our towns and cities and I expect that number to rise in the coming days.
âDisinformation is a huge driver of this appalling violence and we know a lot of those attending these so-called protests are doing so in direct response to what theyâve read online.
“Often posts are being shared and amplified by high profile accounts. Weâre working hard to counteract this. We know weâre not alone and we are drawing together our communities and our partners to help us do even more to silence those intent on spreading false news. They wonât win.
âWe all have a part to play in this; please pay special attention to what you read, share and believe from online sources. Think twice before you act.
âIt has been encouraging to see local leaders and communities unite and stand together against the division and hatred these criminals pretending to be protesters are stoking up.
âIntelligence teams, detectives and neighbourhood officers are working round the clock to identify and apprehend those involved and make no mistake, if you havenât had a knock on the door yet, your time will come.
âThe number of gatherings are reducing significantly today but we are in no way complacent and youâll see officers patrolling communities, ready to tackle disorder, clampdown on violence, and prevent crime, regardless of who the offenders are.
“They have stood strong in the face of attempts to spread disorder and in challenging circumstances and Iâd like to once again thank every officer, police staff member and special constable on duty this weekend for the their professionalism and dedication, whether on the street or gathering evidence to bring charges against the dozens of suspects who are already custody.
âAttempts to disrupt our communities have no place in our society and Iâd like to thank everyone for the support and solidarity theyâve shown.â
KIER STARMER’S SPEECH
“Be in no doubt those that have participated in this violence will face the full force of the law.
“The police will be making arrests, individuals will be held on remand.
“Charges will follow and convictions will follow.
“I guarantee you will regret taking part in this disorder, whether directly or those whipping up this action online and then running away themselves.
“This is not protest, it is organised, violent thuggery and it has no place on our streets or online. Right now, there are attacks happening on a hotel in Rotherham, marauding gangs intent on lawbreaking, or worse.
“Windows smashed, fire set ablaze.
“Residents and staff in absolute fear.
“There is no justification, none, for taking this action.
“And all right minded people should be condemning this sort of violence.
“People in this country have a right to be safe.
“And yet we’ve seen muslim communities targeted, attacks on mosques, other minority communities singled out, nazi salutes in the street, attacks on the police, wanton violence alongside racist rhetoric.
“So, no, I won’t shy away from calling it what it is, far right thuggery.
“To those who feel targeted because of the colour of your skin or your faith, I know how frightening this must be.
“I want you to know that this violent mob do not represent our country and we will bring them to Justice.
“Our police deserve our support as they tackle any and all violent disorder that flares up.
“Whatever the apparent cause or motivation, we make no distinction.
“Crime is crime and this government will tackle it.”
He was asked: “We’ve seen a hotel being set, fire to a lobby. Can you say that the policing operation has been a success? And what more can the government do to stop this?”
Keir responded: “Well, as a government, we’ve had meetings all weekend and in the latter part of last week with law enforcement, with police, to make sure the necessary support and arrangements are in place. We do have standing arrangements for law enforcement, which means that we can get arrests, charged, remands in custody and convictions done very quickly.”
“I myself was part of that in 2011 when I was director of public prosecutions, and I’m determined we will do whatever it takes to bring these thugs to Justice as quickly as possible.”
Asked: “Do you believe everyone that is taking part in this disorder is part of the far right? And does any of the scenes, do any of the scenes we are seeing at the moment give you pause for thought about divisions in the country or how you approach other broader domestic policy areas?”
Kier replied: “If you target people because of the colour of their skin or their faith, then that is far right.
“And I’m prepared to say so. But it doesn’t matter what apparent motivation there is.
“This is violence. It is not protest.”
“It doesn’t matter what the motivation is. The motivation for the vast majority of people in this country Is to see their streets safe. And that’s what I’m determined that we will deliver.”
Asked: “Is it possible that tougher sentences could be given out to rioters, as they were in 2011, to act as a deterrent?”
He answered: “I think there needs to be the full force of the law, and I think It needs to be swift. What happened in 2011 was that we were able to see individuals who took part in violence arrested, charged, remanded, and convicted very swiftly.
“Standing arrangements are in place for that, and we will do whatever it takes to ensure that the message is absolutely clear that if you’re taking part in this violence, you will regret it, and you’ll be brought to justice as quickly as possible. Thank you very much.”
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