UK riots latest: Starmer chairs emergency Cobra meeting amid fears of violence at immigration centres

The 88-year-old’s family have begged potential rioters to stay away from their “Nana” in West Bridgford, Nottingham, after her address was discovered on a list of 60 immigration centres with a message suggesting they should be the target of demonstrations on Wednesday.

A Northern Ireland police chief said an “element” of paramilitary involvement was behind recent disorder in Belfast, as violent anti-immigration protests sparked by stabbings in Southport continue.

Police came under sustained attack and the victim of a suspected hate crime is in a serious condition in hospital following the disorder in Belfast on Monday night.

Merseyside Police charged Philip Prescot, 38, of Sefton Street, Southport, with violent disorder in connection with trouble in Southport last Tuesday.

David Frank Hill, 38, of Bianca Street, Bootle, has been charged with violent disorder in Liverpool city centre on Saturday.

Both were remanded in custody to appear at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court at 9.45am on Wednesday.

James Nelson of Victoria Road, Horwich, Bolton pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage during the disorder in Bolton.

He was sentenced to two months imprisonment at Manchester Magistrates’ Court today (Tuesday 6 August 2024).

Another man received a community order for his role in the protest.

Liam Powell (22/09/1995) of Hendon Court, Buckshaw Village, in Chorley, was given a 12-month community order which will be in place until August 2025.

Powell pleaded guilty to being in possession of cocaine during the disorder on Sunday in Bolton.

Merseyside Police said a Section 34 dispersal order has been introduced in south Liverpool until 7pm on Thursday to combat potential disorder.

The order, introduced at 7pm on Tuesday under the Anti-Social Behaviour & Policing Act 2014, gives police officers and community support traffic officers powers to direct people who are engaging in anti-social behaviour or are likely to become involved in such incidents.

Under the legislation, officers have the power to seize any item used in the commission of anti-social behaviour and, should a person who has previously been directed to leave the area return, an offence would be committed for which they may ultimately be arrested.

Inspector Leigh Price said: “We have introduced this order to prevent potential disorder following similar incidents in Merseyside and other parts of the country this week.

“Patrols have been increased in the area to deal with any issues, and this dispersal zone gives officers on the ground extra powers to approach people they believe could be there to commit anti-social behaviour or disorder.

“This order is aimed at ensuring residents and businesses are not subjected to any such behaviour, and I ask that people continue reporting any concerns and we will take action.”

Durham Constabulary said officers had issued dispersal orders to 37 people, aged between 13 and 38, who arrived in Durham city centre on Tuesday evening.

A 15-year-old boy, from Crook, was arrested for a public order offence.

The force said that, following intelligence of planned disorder this evening, a dispersal order was put in place for the city centre alongside a heightened police presence.

The dispersal order will remain in place until noon on Wednesday.

Police said they had received no reports of incidents of disorder or criminal damage in the city centre this evening.

The Lord Chancellor has warned people who “incite mobs” will “feel the full force of the law”, amid concerns over the safety of legal professionals.

It comes as a number of events were planned outside immigration advice centres and solicitors’ offices across the country on Wednesday.

Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “Every day, across the country, solicitors uphold the rule of law.

“Inciting mobs to attack their offices, or threatening them in any way, is unacceptable.

“Those found doing so will face the full force of the law.

“They will join the hundreds of others who have already been arrested by police within the last week.”

On Sunday about 300 people joined a counter-protest against far-right activists amid clashes with police.

Shakeel Afsar, who stood as an independent candidate in Birmingham Hall Green and Moseley in last month’s general election, said “reasonable force” may be needed to defend communities.

“We are not the agitators, aggressors or attackers,” he said in a video posted on X. “We will stand there and defend our businesses and our homes. And if attacked, we will use reasonable and necessary force to defend ourselves … It’s about defending the rights of our community and the honour of our people.”

Baber Baz, a Liberal Democrat councillor in Birmingham, who was at the gathering in Bordesley on Monday, said it was largely peaceful after a day of threats of an imminent attack.

“Hour by hour the tension was increasing. We’ve seen what’s happened in other cities. We won’t allow it to happen in Birmingham.

“The EDL messages were out there. If they turn up and become violent, you’re within your rights to defend yourself.”

Paloma Faith, Diane Abbott, The Specials and Kate Nash were among a cavalcade of celebrities and politicians to sign the latest Stand Up To Racism open letter against the far-right.

Stand Up To Racism successfully called on its supporters to turn out en masse over the weekend against the far-right thugs, who were outnumbered all over the country.

Their letter says: “Across Europe we see the rise of far right and fascist forces, from Marine Le Pen in France to the AfD in Germany. The far right are a threat to all decent people. The trial of Finsbury Park terrorist Darren Osborne, who murdered Makram Ali, heard that he was radicalised by reading material by Tommy Robinson.

“When Robinson was leader of the English Defence League, it attacked Muslims, trade unions and strikes. All those who oppose this must join in a united mass movement powerful enough to drive back the fascists. The majority of people in Britain abhor Robinson and the far right. We are the majority, they are the few. Britain has a proud history of defeating fascists and racists. We can defeat them again. We must Stand Up to Racism, Islamophobia and antisemitism. We must unite and mobilise against the far right and fascism.”