British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has decided to cancel his planned holiday to concentrate on his government’s response to a series of racist riots targeting Muslims and migrants, according to a Downing Street source. The decision comes as the unrest continues to demand significant attention and resources.
Over the weekend, thousands of police officers remained on high alert to manage the situation and prevent further violence. Despite the ongoing tensions, counter-protesters outnumbered anti-migration demonstrators in various towns and cities for the fourth consecutive day on Saturday.
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The source, who chose to remain anonymous, confirmed that Starmer would not be taking the scheduled holiday next week. The government has accelerated efforts to handle the aftermath of the riots, with 741 arrests made and 302 people charged since the violence began. Officials have indicated that arrests could extend over several months.
On Saturday, the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) announced that specialist officers would target online offenders and influencers who have been spreading hate and inciting violence. Chris Haward, the NPCC’s lead for serious and organized crime, stated, “Online crimes have real-world consequences and you will be dealt with in the same way as those physically present and inflicting the violence.” Recently, at least two individuals were jailed for promoting racial hatred through social media.
The riots erupted following false online claims that a suspected killer, involved in the stabbing of three young girls on July 29 in Southport, was an Islamist migrant. This misinformation led to widespread unrest, affecting a group of students who are predominantly Muslim and from ethnic minority backgrounds.
In a separate response to the unrest, King Charles made a public appeal for mutual respect and understanding, praising the community groups that have actively countered the aggression and criminality stemming from a minority of individuals, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson reported.
(Includes inputs from online sources)
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