Cops given special powers to tackle riots over fears of MORE chaos (2024)

9th Aug 2024, 00:48By Ryan Merrifield

Musk labels Sir Keir a 'hypocrite' over policing approach

Elon Musk has labelled Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer a "hypocrite" over his policing approach due to historical tweets.

The billionaire X owner has enjoyed a back and forth with the Labour leader since the unrest began this week.

The social media platform has carried misinformation about the disorders.

Musk - who proclaims free speech - has expressed disbelief that people inciting violence online are going before the courts in the UK.

Sir Keir criticised the tycoon for alleging police in Birmingham had used "two-tier policing", referring to the idea some demonstrations are dealt with more harshly than others.

But Musk called the PM out for previously criticising the police response during Sarah Everard vigil protests for which the Met paid compensation.

The X owner said: "Out of curiosity, is this the same #TwoTeirKeir who himself criticized policing protests in 2021?

"What a hypocrite!"

Musk also said Sir Keir was "terrified of having to perform equal enforcement of the law for all in his own city".

9th Aug 2024, 00:40By Ryan Merrifield

Man, 61, charged in Northern Ireland

A 61-year-old man has been charged in relation to the disorder across Belfast this week.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland said the man will appear at Belfast Magistrates' Court on Saturday.

9th Aug 2024, 00:16By Ryan Merrifield

Police make 26 arrests, with 22 charged in Northern Ireland

A total of 26 people have been arrested and 22 charged in relation to rioting in Northern Ireland.

Several arrests were made on Friday in relation to disorder in the past week.

On Friday, four men appeared in court charged in relation to riots in the city, all of whom were remanded in custody.

The judge warned that those who had taken part in the public disorder will be refused bail.

Police said on Friday that a 28-year-old man, who was arrested on Thursday, was charged with riot, aiding and abetting arson and possession of a class A controlled drug.

An 18-year-old man was charged with two counts of riot and two counts of possession of an offensive weapon with intent to commit an indictable offence.

A 16-year-old boy was charged with riot, two counts of possession of an offensive weapon with intent to commit an indictable offence and possessing fireworks without a licence.

They are due to appear before Belfast Magistrates' Court on Saturday.

A 58-year-old man was charged with disorderly behaviour and obstructing police and is due to appear before Belfast Magistrates' Court on Thursday September 5.

A 47-year-old woman was charged with three counts of riot and three counts of cruelty to children, police said.

A 15-year-old boy was charged with a number of offences, including four counts of riot, possession of a petrol bomb in suspicious circ*mstances and three counts of possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.

A 61-year-old man was charged with rioting on Friday and is due to appear before Belfast Magistrates' Court on Saturday.

A 55-year-old man was also arrested in the Belfast area by detectives investigating online posts relating to recent public disorder.

He has been arrested on suspicion of publishing written material intended to stir up hatred.

Detectives also arrested a 53-year-old man under Section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000, and he was taken to the Musgrave Serious Crime Suite for questioning.

9th Aug 2024, 23:25By Ryan Merrifield

Councillor's wife charged with stirring racial hatred

A 41-year-old woman has been charged with publishing written material to stir up racial hatred, Northamptonshire Police said.

Lucy Connolly, the partner of a Conservative councillor, was arrested on Tuesday following reports of a hate crime regarding a post published on social media, before being bailed pending further inquiries.

On Friday, Northamptonshire Police said: "Those enquiries have resulted in Connolly being re-arrested today and she has subsequently been charged with one count of publishing written material to stir up racial hatred.

"Connolly remains in police custody and will appear before Northampton Magistrates' Court via a live link tomorrow (Saturday, August 10)."

9th Aug 2024, 23:22By Ryan Merrifield

Man, 18, is 22nd charged after riots in Southport and Liverpool

George Clements, 18, has been charged with violent disorder in Liverpool city centre on August 3.

He is the 22nd man to be charged in connection with violent disorder in Southport and Liverpool, Merseyside Police said.

Clements, of Egerton Street, New Brighton, has been remanded into custody to appear at Liverpool Magistrates' Court on Monday August 12.

9th Aug 2024, 23:21By Ryan Merrifield

Police release more CCTV images

Police forces across the country have released more CCTV images of people they would like to identify following widespread disorder over the past week.

Merseyside Police issued images of 12 people on Friday as part of an investigation into recent disorder in the county which saw 52 arrests and 22 people charged.

The force said it expects "these numbers are only going to increase" as a specialist team reviews hundreds of hours of footage and images.

Cleveland Police published images of 20 people it hopes to identify regarding disorder in Middlesbrough on Sunday and said its officers still had more than 100 people they wished to identify.

There has not been any large-scale disorder in the area since, the force added.

Assistant Chief Constable David Felton said: "For those who chose to take part in the violent disorder across Teesside, my message to you is this - don't think that because you have not been arrested yet that you won't be.

"You will. You will be arrested, charged and put before the courts. There is nowhere to hide."

Images were also released by South Yorkshire Police in a continuing appeal to identify a number of people in connection with mass disorder outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Rotherham on Sunday.

Greater Manchester Police issued images of 22 people its officers want to speak to following outbreaks of disorder in Manchester city centre and Bolton town centre over the weekend.

Disorder broke out in Piccadilly Gardens and outside a supermarket on Mosley Street - both in Manchester city centre - on Saturday, with protesters and police clashing in Bolton town centre the following day.

Avon and Somerset Police also appealed for help identifying people they wish to speak to in relation to violent disorder in Bristol on Saturday which has so far seen 20 people arrested and five charged.

Images of 11 people were released by Devon and Cornwall Police as part of an appeal following unrest in Plymouth on Monday, which resulted in increased police patrols in the area.

Police issued their photos after incidents which followed the fatal stabbings of three girls at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club in Southport last week.

9th Aug 2024, 23:16By Ryan Merrifield

Five men charged

Five men have been charged with violent disorder following a protest in Aldershot during which a police officer was injured.

Police were called to the demonstration outside the Potters International Hotel in the Hampshire town on July 31.

A Hampshire police spokesman said: "Although the majority gathered in a peaceful manner, some disorder was reported.

"Our officers were swiftly on scene and were able to disperse the group quickly.

"Sadly, one of our officers suffered a minor injury as a result of the disruption."

The five men charged are Joe Howell, 19, of Bareham Drive, Ash; Kieron Marney, 25, of Fairview Road, Ash; Perrie Fisher, 28, of Hillside Road, Farnham; Cameron Bowling, 40, of Broadhurst, Farnborough; and Clive Patfield, 60, of The Chantrys, Farnham.

Howell was also charged with assault by beating of an emergency worker.

They are all due to appear at Basingstoke Magistrates' Court on August 13.

The force spokesman added: "A 19-year-old man from Ash and a 34-year-old man from Farnborough, who were previously arrested in connection into this incident, remain on police bail."

9th Aug 2024, 22:34By Ryan Merrifield

Pair of bin thugs jailed

Two women who tried to use bins as weapons during riots have been jailed.

Mum-of-five Stacey Vint, 34, was sentenced to 20 months at Teesside Crown Court after pushing a burning wheelie bin into a police line in Middlesbrough on Sunday.

While Leanne Hodgson, 43, who pushed industrial bins at a police line during riots in Sunderland, has been jailed for two-and-a-half years.

She also deliberately ran into an officer and called another one a "f****** black c***" during the disorder last Friday, a court heard.

Read the full story here.

9th Aug 2024, 22:12By Ryan Merrifield

Cops expect very busy weekend in Northern Ireland

PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Melanie Jones said the police expected a very busy weekend across Northern Ireland with a risk of spontaneous protest as well as scheduled events such as the Apprentice Boys of Derry parade in Londonderry and the West Belfast Festival.

She also said that from today, officers "may have" additional powers to stop and search or require the removal of face coverings.

"We will have a significant visible policing operation in place across Northern Ireland to ensure that everyone is kept safe," she told media at a press conference at PSNI headquarters in east Belfast.

"We will be supporting the right to peaceful protest that is lawful, but this does not extend into intimidation, harassment or disorder.

"I encourage anyone who is planning to engage in protest to do so peacefully and within the law, and to engage with the police and follow our advice and instruction."

9th Aug 2024, 20:55By Ryan Merrifield

First demonstrations held in Scotland

Anti-racism demonstrations have taken place in Scotland for the first time following the disorder elsewhere in the UK.

The campaign group Stand Up To Racism Scotland (SUTRS) organised the counter-protests in the towns of Bathgate in West Lothian and Paisley in Renfrewshire.

In Bathgate, demonstrators carrying banners and placards gathered outside the Cairn Hotel on Blackburn Road, which is used to house asylum seekers.

Placards carried by members of the crowd bore slogans that included "refugees welcome", "smash fascism & racism" and "stop the far right".

In a post on X promoting the event, SUTRS said: "After Wednesday's stunning antifascist mobilisations, drive the racist far-right out of our streets."

The post added: "Stop any intimidation & harassment at Cairn Hotel. Calling on local anti-racists to come together this evening."

Trade union banners could also be seen in the crowd that gathered in the West Lothian sunshine on Friday evening.

A similar demonstration took place at the same time outside the Watermill Hotel in Paisley.

Prior to these events there had been no far-right demonstrations, or counter protests, in Scotland.

Further anti-racism protests are planned in a number of Scottish cities on Saturday.

9th Aug 2024, 20:33By Ryan Merrifield

Police arrest man, 40, at Crawley protest

A 40-year-old man was arrested over claims of threatening behaviour at the demonstration in Crawley.

After the protest ended, Sussex Police said: “Following a small anti-immigration protest at the location, a 40 year old man was arrested on suspicion of threatening or abusive behaviour contrary to the Public Order Act and remains in custody at this time.

“Two further men were escorted away from the area by police and were issued with a Section 35 dispersal order.”

9th Aug 2024, 20:31By Ryan Merrifield

King Charles ‘greatly encouraged’ by response

King Charles is "greatly encouraged" by the response of many Brits to the ongoing riots.

The monarch has also praised the "community spirit" as well as the bravery of police officers amid the unrest - with forces remaining on "high alert" over the weekend.

Courts up and down the country continue to work around the clock with those responsible for the mass disorderfacing swift justice.

But with more anti-immigration rallies scheduled tonight and in the coming days, the mobilisation of police forces continues.

Charles has this evening held a private phone call with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in his efforts to remain up to date.

The monarch, who is in Birkhall, Scotland, has also had a joint call with the Chair of the National Police Chiefs' Council, Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, and UK Gold Commander Ben Harrington, Chief Constable of Essex.

The Palace said these conversations are "in addition" to the private calls Charles has made throughout the week, "concerning recent events - and in particular the impact they have had on affected communities".

9th Aug 2024, 19:40By Ryan Merrifield

Judge savages ‘cowardly’ thugs as UK's oldest rioter jailed

A judge savaged "cowardly and disrespectful" thugs as the UK's oldest rioter shouted "I'm f****** 70, mate" before being arrested - and a 13-year-old child has been charged with disorder.

Footage shows William Morgan, 69, also shouting "I'm English" as he was detained for violent disorder in Liverpool on Saturday - with cops on alert forfurther potential unrest this weekend.

Morgan, of Walton, was yesterday sentenced at Liverpool CrownCourtto two years and eight months in jail after admitting violent disorder and possessing an offensive weapon.

While a child, 13, has become theyoungest rioter to be chargedover the chaos.

The schoolkid, who can't be named because they're under 18, was charged with violent disorder and will appear at Manchester Magistrates Court.

See our rundown of the latest charges, convictions and sentencing from today here.

9th Aug 2024, 18:25By Ryan Merrifield

Facebook user first to be jailed for stirring hatred

A Facebook user who encouraged people to attack a hotel housing asylum seekers has become the first person to be jailed for stirring up racial hatred during widespread disorder across the country.

Jordan Parlour, 28, admitted posting on the social media platform between August 1 and August 5 urging others to target the building in Leeds, which at the time was housing more than 200 asylum seekers and refugees.

The hotel manager put the building into lockdown on Saturday due to the disorder in the city, and at least one window was broken after stones were thrown over the weekend.

On Friday, Parlour, of Seacroft, Leeds, was jailed for 20 months at Leeds Crown Court.

Judge Guy Kearl KC told him: "You were encouraging others to attack a hotel which you knew was occupied by refugees and asylum seekers.

"The overall effect of your post was to incite violence towards the building and therefore towards those in the hotel."

9th Aug 2024, 18:24By Ryan Merrifield

Four men and boy, 16, arrested

West Midlands Police have arrested four men and a teenage boy on suspicion of violent disorder linked to a gathering in Bordesley Green on Monday.

Four men - one aged 28, two aged 23 and one aged 22 - and a 16-year-old boy were arrested on Friday morning on suspicion of violent disorder which took place outside a pub on Stoney Lane.

All five are in custody, the force said.

Chief Superintendent Richard North, commander at Birmingham LPA, said: "We have made a number of arrests for violent disorder following the gathering on Monday night and we continue to work hard to arrest others.

"We want to reassure you that anyone participating in any criminality on our streets will be dealt with robustly."

9th Aug 2024, 18:23By Ryan Merrifield

Woman, 43, arrested following Dorset protest

Police have arrested a 43-year-old woman from Bournemouth on suspicion of criminal damage and common assault during a protest in the Dorset town on August 7.

9th Aug 2024, 18:22By Ryan Merrifield

Crowds gathering in Belfast this evening

9th Aug 2024, 18:16By Ryan Merrifield

Cops guard Holiday Inn Express entrance

Police are guarding the entrance to a Holiday Inn Express hotel in Crawley, West Sussex - with a 'Unity Rally' is taking place nearby.

9th Aug 2024, 18:10By Ryan Merrifield

Man who kicked police officer jailed

A man who kicked a police officer during large-scale disorder in Whitehall has been jailed for 10 months.

Ozzie Cush, 20, confronted a group of Metropolitan Police officers before hitting one with his foot at a demonstration near Trafalgar Square on July 31.

Appearing in custody at Inner London Crown Court on Friday, the defendant wore a grey t-shirt and spoke only to confirm his name.

He was sentenced to 46 weeks' detention in a young offenders' institution at Inner London Crown Court on Friday, of which he must serve up to half of the sentence.

The defendant had two previous convictions relating to criminal damage and had been on bail awaiting sentence for one of the convictions at the time of the assault.

Sentencing, Judge Benedict Kelleher said the offence displayed "a complete contempt" for the force and was "clearly deliberate".

9th Aug 2024, 18:06By Ryan Merrifield

Swinney holds further talks with police

John Swinney has held further talks with police as authorities remain "vigilant" for potential disorder in Scotland following riots elsewhere in the UK.

Scotland's First Minister said there is "no place in Scotland for hatred of any kind" and has been in contact with Police Scotland throughout the week amid fears the disorder witnessed in England and Northern Ireland could take place in Scotland.

He held further talks with the force on Friday to receive a further update on preparedness should any disorder emerge in Scotland over the weekend.

There have been no far-right demonstrations, or counter protests, in Scotland as yet, though anti-racism protests are planned in a number of Scottish cities on Saturday with one in Paisley and one in Bathgate on Friday.

9th Aug 2024, 17:54By Ryan Merrifield

Social media giants have 'obligation' to deal with offences

Home Office minister Dame Diana Johnson meanwhile said social media giants have an "obligation" to deal with criminal offences being committed on their platforms.

"If they're having incitement to violence on their platforms, that needs to be dealt with now, today. We don't need the Online Safety Act to deal with that."

New regulation of social media platforms under the Online Safety Act became law in the UK last year but the act has not yet fully come into effect.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan told The Guardian he thought the act was "not fit for purpose".

The Prime Minister appeared to suggest he could review the regulations, saying on Friday that "I do agree that we're going to have to look more broadly at social media after this disorder".

9th Aug 2024, 17:52By Ryan Merrifield

Sir Keir reiterates 'high alert' message

Sir Keir Starmer has reiterated his message that police should remain on "high alert" going into the weekend as unrest that started last week appeared to have eased.

During a visit to the Metropolitan Police's special operations room in Lambeth on Friday, the Prime Minister told broadcasters: "My message to the police and all of those that are charged with responding to disorder is maintain that high alert.

"I'm absolutely convinced that having the police officers in place these last few days, and the swift justice that has been dispensed in our courts have had a real impact.

"But we have to stay on high alert going into this weekend because we absolutely have to make sure that our communities are safe and secure and feel safe and secure."

9th Aug 2024, 17:47By Ryan Merrifield

Police form guard around man draped in Union Jack flag

Police have formed a guard around one protester draped in a Union Jack flag in Crawley during a 'Unity Rally'.

The man is also wearing a Union Jack waistcoat and his phone has a Union Jack case.

9th Aug 2024, 17:41By Ryan Merrifield

Crowds gather in Belfast this evening

9th Aug 2024, 17:36By Ryan Merrifield

Protesters waving flags gather in Crawley

Protesters waving flags have gathered outside a Holiday Inn in Crawley, West Sussex.

Police - including liaison officers - and police vans can also be seen in a live stream on YouTube.

Some protesters are wearing masks, with signs saying: "Refugees welcome."