Britain takes steps to prevent racist riots from starting again at the weekend By Reuters
Written by Catarina Demony
LONDON (Reuters) – Britain is keeping thousands of special police officers on duty in case of racist riots at the weekend and the government has said it is considering tightening laws on social media companies after days of unrest fueled by an online hoax.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said extra police numbers and swifter justice had deterred what he called “far-right thugs” since Wednesday, but said authorities would remain vigilant to further trouble.
Attacks and racism are mainly directed at Muslims and immigrants. Hotels housing asylum seekers have had their windows smashed and mosques pelted with stones.
Those involved in these riots can expect to be brought before the courts, said Starmer, noting that what he called “significant sentences” have been handed down.
“That's the most important part of the message for anyone thinking of getting involved in other problems,” he told reporters during a visit to a police station in London.
It is not clear how many far-right rallies have been planned or whether they will continue. There are about 40 protests scheduled for Saturday, according to the group Stand Up to Racism.
The National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) said 6,000 police officers were trained to do their job over the weekend.
“While the last two nights have been a welcome respite from the horrific events of the past week, and may have reached a tipping point, we are not complacent,” said Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, Chairman of the NPCC.
“We are working hard to end this scandal, but people are being arrested.”
About 600 people have been arrested so far for involvement in, or promoting online, attacks on Muslims, immigrants and other sites and police since late last month, with a 13-year-old child among those charged.
Information released on Friday by the Ministry of Justice showed that more than 150 suspects have appeared in court. A number of those who have been arrested for crimes are being followed quickly through the justice system and others will be sentenced on Friday.
Charges were also brought against people involved in the counter-protests.
Prosecutors said the local councillor, who was suspended by Starmer's Labor Party on Thursday after images emerged of him calling for people to cut off “disgusting Nazis”, has been charged with inciting violence and will appear in court on Friday.
'HIGH NOTICE'
The riots broke out across the country after a wave of fake news online falsely identified the suspect who killed three girls in a July 29 knife attack in Southport, northwest England, as an Islamist.
Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas–Symonds told Sky News on Friday that the government will revisit the draft of the country's Internet Safety Act which governs social media companies' obligations regarding content that incites violence or hate.
“We are ready to make changes if necessary,” he said regarding this act that was passed in October but will not come into effect until next year due to negotiations.
The predicted widespread right-wing riots failed to materialize on Wednesday, when thousands of protesters took to the streets across the country, giving hope to authorities and civil society leaders who are worried that the violence is starting.
“We have to remain vigilant as we go into this weekend,” Starmer told reporters.
