UK riots live: Almost 400 arrested over violent disorder as Keir Starmer puts ‘standing army’ of police on alert

Bars, restaurants and businesses in Plymouth have closed early ahead of two planned protests in the city on Monday evening.

Campaign group Stand Up To Racism is set to demonstrate at Guildhall Square from 6pm, with a “stop the boats” protest organised for 7pm.

When far-right rioters started throwing bottles at police officers guarding an asylum seeker hotel, local resident Becky Brunt decided it was time for her family to flee the area.

She had been watching the chaos unfold streets away from her estate on a TikTok live stream and as the crowds grew around their home she decided it would be safer to stay with her mother-in-law in Sheffield.

The family returned when the violence had died down at around midnight on Sunday night. And the next morning they spoke to The Independent from outside the hotel where they were clearing up after the devastation.

Police officers will have their rest days cancelled as they face violence some have never seen before amid the riots – and they will become “fatigued” at some point, the Police Federation has said.

Broken bones and concussion are among the injuries police officers have suffered over six days of disorder which has seen hundreds of arrests in the wake of a knife attack in Southport last week which left three girls dead, the federation said.

It is not yet known how many police officers have been injured during the disorder.

Tiffany Lynch, acting national chairwoman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, told Times Radio: “What we’re actually seeing and our officers out there that are working incredibly hard for extended periods of duty, is unprecedented, and the violence that they’re actually facing, some have never faced before in their careers.

“We know of recorded injuries where we’ve had broken bones, concussion and such like, but we’re also seeing that these officers are working extended long hours and with the level of violence that they’re facing, they will be becoming fatigued at some point.”

Brian Booth, deputy national chair of the Police Federation, told The Independent that front line officers are “absolutely being run ragged” doing 18 hour shifts as they face their sixth day of far-right unrest.

Officer morale was low before the rallies, he said, adding: “On top of this now some are not able to take annual leave with their families and having rest days cancelled to work long hours in very dangerous conditions.

“They will step up to the plate and do their duties without fear or favour to the best of their abilities but there has to be some recognition of that down the line.”

While forces are “well resourced” to cope with any further clashes, he said the long-term impact will be officers taken away from community policing as they dedicate thousands of hours to gathering evidence to secure convictions against rioters.

“All these offences of arson, assault and GBH, they will need to be investigated and evidence gathered and put before the courts and that takes officers time,” he added.

“I think we are in a really good position to deal with the here and now, the downside of this is the future months and months compiling evidence.”

The Northern Ireland Assembly is set to be recalled to discuss violent scenes following an anti-immigration protest in Belfast on Saturday.

MLAs will gather on Thursday at 12 noon to discuss a motion condemning criminal damage and targeting of businesses in recent days.

The motion also “rejects all forms of Islamophobia, xenophobia and racism; endorses the work of voluntary sector organisations combatting racism and supporting those impacted by it; recognises the work of the Police Service of Northern Ireland and other public sector bodies protecting our communities during the recent unrest; calls on the First Minister and deputy First Minister to finalise the draft Refugee Integration Strategy and associated Thematic Delivery Plan and present it to the Executive; and further calls on the First Minister and deputy First Minister to bring forward the renewed Race Relations Order, and set-out the process of replacing the Racial Equality Strategy 2015-2025 by the end of 2024”.

Responding to what she called the “far-right race riots in recent days”, Royal College of Nursing general secretary and chief executive Professor Nicola Ranger said: “Migrant nursing staff are precious members of our communities, hardwired into the very DNA of our health and care services – we ask Government to ensure that anybody targeting them pays a very heavy price.

“Whether in their first months working here, or after decades working in our health system, our international colleagues are welcome, valued and owed a debt of gratitude.

“These scenes around the country are nothing short of despicable racism – they have no place in our society and we join fully in the condemnation of them. As an anti-racist organisation, the RCN will take a lead part in tackling this hatred wherever it rears its head.

“Employers have a duty of care to keep their staff safe at work. That includes those working in hospitals, but also those delivering care alone in community settings. Health leaders need to act urgently to reassure staff, review risk assessments and implement any measures necessary to keep workers safe.

“Nursing staff of every nationality and ethnic heritage are holding the health service together, dealing with the fallout of these racist attacks. They are a credit to our profession and a powerful reminder of the strength we find in diversity and unity.”

A spokesman for Merseyside Police said one child remained in hospital a week on from the Southport attack and all other patients had been discharged.

Three girls were killed after a knifeman stormed a Taylor Swift dance class last Monday and killed three girls Bebe King, aged six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, aged seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, aged nine. Several other children and three adults were injured and in critical condition.

Police are not “anti-protest” but are “anti-crime”, National Police Chiefs’ Council chairman Gavin Stephens said.

He added: “We are here to protect the public and keep the peace no matter your beliefs. Violent disorder is a serious offence which often comes with a lengthy jail term so be assured we are taking these offences seriously have full support of our criminal justice partners to do this.

“The people involved in this criminality do not represent the views of our communities and it has been heartening to see people coming together to support each other and their local forces.

“This is a challenging time for forces and I want to extend my thanks to the officers and staff who have carried out their roles with dignity, bravery and professionalism in the face of sustained violence and assaults.

“There have been a number of officers injured, some have been hospitalised after putting themselves in harm’s way to protect others, and I wish them a full recovery.

“Officers do not go to work to be assaulted or attacked and it is completely unacceptable.”

Police have made 378 arrests so far since disorder broke out last week and the total is expected to rise each day, the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) said as it promised a “united and robust policing response”.

NPCC chairman Gavin Stephens said: “Every community across the country will have been affected in some way by the violent disorder we have seen in this past week.

“I want to reassure the public that a united and robust policing response is in place across the country and we are doing all we can to tackle this disorder and keep you safe.

“All forces have been requested not only to increase the number of specialist resources in their local area, but to contribute to regional reserves, coordinated nationally.

“So far 378 arrests have been made and we expect that total to rise each day as forces continue to identify those involved and continue to apprehend those responsible. Work is going on around the clock to do this and those involved will be brought to justice.

“We have been clear that this is not protest activity or people exercising their democratic right. It is unnecessary violence and we’ve seen important community hubs like a Citizen’s Advice Bureau and a library completely destroyed.”

The UK didn’t suddenly become bigoted last week. These people were simply waiting for an excuse, writes Femi Oluwole.