UK Riots Halted by Police, Communities But Country Remains on Alert
Editor
9 August 2024 09:39 WIB
'BETTER THAN EXPECTED'
Sentencing of those involved in disorder over the past week continued on Thursday, with prison terms of between 11 and 32 months handed out. On Wednesday, one man was jailed for three years. Convictions have also included those who encouraged violence online.
Fast and tough judicial action was viewed as helping quell the last serious nationwide rioting in England in 2011, for which almost 4,000 people were arrested.
Starmer, who met with police and community leaders in Birmingham on Thursday, said Wednesday night was "much better than expected". He is holding an emergency meeting with police on Thursday to discuss efforts to contain any further riots.
More than 100 police officers have been injured since the start of the rioting, including broken limbs.
"I was very keen that we're able to demonstrate that if you're involved in disorder, within days, you'll be in the criminal justice system," he told reporters. "That needs to continue."
No large far-right gatherings were reported on Wednesday.
According to Logically, a company that works with governments and other organizations to reduce the harm of misinformation, the planned disorder had been coordinated by an international network of extreme right-wing Telegram channels with links to banned groups.
Former members of banned neo-Nazi groups Atomwaffen Division and National Action had joined U.S.-founded Active Club networks of white supremacist groups, neo-Nazis, and those of nationalist soccer hooligans to stoke tension and provoke clashes. They were among the first to share a list of targets, Logically said.
REUTERS
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