Rioting in the UK continues a week after the knife attack that killed three children in Southport,
In his second intervention since the attackBritish Prime Minister Keir Starmer did not mince his words during a speech to the nation, and blamed the main perpetrators for the worsening of the situation, highlighting their role in the escalation of tensions and violence.
“There is no justification for such action and all sensible people should condemn this type of violence. So no, I will not hesitate to call it what it is: far-right thuggery.” he said.
The violent protests began early last week after rumours spread on social media that the suspect was an asylum seeker who had arrived in the UK by boat.
He made it clear that he wanted the response to acts of violence to be “be quick and decisive“He called in the police to coordinate tactics and made it clear to Muslims and others frightened by violence that such acts”did not represent the United Kingdom.”
An emergency meeting (COBRA) is expected at Downing Street on Monday following a weekend of widespread unrest.
Fears that the situation will get worse
The speech came as city police Rotherham was struggling on Sunday to contain a crowd of rioters who were trying to enter a hotel housing asylum seekers.
About 700 people gathered outside the Holiday Inn Express, before clashing with police. Some rioters threw pieces of wood, bottles and chairs, and sprayed officers with fire extinguishers. Ten officers were injured.
Violence also in several cities this weekend
Manchester, Liverpool, Middlesbrough, Portsmouth, Bristolor Sunderland There were also riots. In Sunderland, hundreds of people attacked police, setting fire to a car and a bus.
Social networks have widely relayed all these violent clashes between far-right activists and the police, but also with young people from the Muslim community.
At least 100 people were arrested on Saturday alone across the country.