1 month ago
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Britain braced for potential unrest on Wednesday as thousands of police officers were deployed across the country, fearing
violence
from far-right groups following a series of
anti-immigrant riots
in recent days. While the anticipated anti-immigration protests did not occur, thousands of
anti-racism demonstrators
gathered in cities with some demonstrations taking place near areas identified as potential riot targets.
As the evening passed without major incidents, many people expressed relief that widespread violence had been avoided.
The violent unrest that occurred in more than a dozen towns and cities across Britain over the past week was partly fueled by far-right agitators and an online disinformation campaign aimed at inciting chaos following a
deadly knife attack
on a children's dance class in northwestern England. False information spread online claimed that the teenage suspect, who was born in Britain, was an asylum seeker.
The BBC reported that the suspect's parents were from Rwanda, though the police have not disclosed a motive for the attack due to strict reporting restrictions in Britain once legal proceedings begin.
In response to heightened tensions, authorities deployed about 6,000 specialist public-order police officers across the country, increased patrols in several cities and towns, and granted police extended powers to arrest individuals suspected of intending to cause unrest, even before riots could begin.
Among the few arrests on Wednesday night was a 40-year-old man from Eastleigh, detained by Hampshire police in Southampton for suspected violent or threatening behaviour following a small gathering of anti-immigration protesters who were outnumbered by counter protesters. In Bristol, there was one arrest after a brick and a bottle were thrown at a police vehicle, but overall, the demonstrations remained peaceful. Police dispersed a small group of anti-immigration protesters blocking a road in Portsmouth, and additional officers were deployed in Belfast, Northern Ireland, where unrest had persisted for at least four nights.
Many businesses in the affected areas closed early, and parents were asked to pick up their children from nearby childcare centres. On Wednesday evening, protesters chanted "Fascists out!" and held signs reading "Love Not Hate" as a helicopter circled overhead. Although there was a significant police presence, the anticipated anti-immigration crowd did not appear. Instead, the diverse gathering included local residents surprised by the demonstration in their neighbourhood, union groups, and others condemning the recent violence in Britain.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer issued a warning late on Tuesday, stating that anyone involved in the violence would face "the full force of the law." He said that more than 400 people had been arrested since the unrest began, including those participating in the riots and committing online offences, with around 100 individuals charged.
"That should send a very powerful message," he said, "to anybody involved, either directly or online, that you are likely to be dealt with within a week, and that nobody, nobody, should be involving themselves in this disorder."
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