UK riots latest: Thousands turn out for anti-racism protests amid fears of more far-right riots

Around 500 anti-fascist demonstrators have gathered on Glossop Road in Sheffield but there was no sign of any anti-immigration agitators.

Scores of police were in the area in baseball caps and overalls, with their riot helmets hanging from their belts.

A number of police vans were parked in surrounding streets, close to Sheffield University’s student union.

A succession of speakers addressed the crowd using a loud hailer as those gathered chanted “whose streets? our streets!” and “say it loud, say it clear, refugees are welcome here”.

Glossop Road remained open and many passing cars beeped their horns in support, drawing cheers from the crowd.

Yvette Cooper has thanked police for their response to planned anti-immigration protests across the country on Wednesday night.

The Home Secretary said on social media: “Thank you to all the police officers working tonight to protect and support local communities.”

Hundreds of counter-protesters have assembled directly outside an immigration advice centre in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, holding banners reading “Oppose Tommy Robinson”, “Bigots out of Brum” and “Stamp out Islamophobia”.

As a nearby clocktower sounded the hour at 8pm, there was no sign of any far-right protest.

The entrance to the advice centre in a three-storey building and several other local businesses, including restaurants and shops, had been boarded up before the rumoured protest.

Hundreds of people have gathered in central Brighton with loud drums and music playing, and signs proclaiming “No to Racism” and “Education is key misinformation kills”.

Police vans lined the side streets but officers were seen standing in the crowd peacefully surrounded by protesters.

Dozens of protesters holding “Stand Up To Racism” posters have gathered outside Aldershot Enterprise Centre.

They chanted and held banners reading “Refugees welcome. Stop the far right”.

A few of them wore face masks.

Several police officers stood close by.

A smaller group, some masked, congregated outside Yeomans Nissan Aldershot, opposite the road.

Some of them shouted back angrily at the Stand Up To Racism group.

Anti-fascist groups and unions gathered at one of the flagged flashpoints for far-right rallies.

Police officers have rushed in to separate opposing groups in Aldershot after tempers flared.

Protesters holding “Stand Up To Racism” placards had been chanting “refugees are welcome here”.

A group across the road had been chanting back “stop the boats”.

Some of them walked towards the Stand Up To Racism group, stopping traffic, and angry shouting occurred.

Dozens of police officers then rushed onto the road to stop groups from getting too close to each other.

One young man, among those who moved towards the Stand Up To Racism group, was seen being spoken to by two officers.

An aerial photo shows the huge crowds gathered in Walthamstow.

No far-right groups have assembled half an hour past the planned start time for a demonstration outside an immigration centre in Walthamstow.

The area earmarked for the protest has been taken over by thousands of counter-demonstrators who can be seen at least a mile back.

Anti-racism protesters outnumbered far-right groups in Southampton.

Walthamstow MP Stella Creasy has said there is a “three-figure” police presence in the London borough.

Walthamstow Central bus station has also been closed since 6pm, Creasy added.

It comes as police prepare for more than 100 planned protests across the country on Wednesday night.

Humberside Police said 35 people had now been arrested over disorder in the force area on Saturday and Assistant Chief Constable Thom McLoughlin pledged they would take action against everyone involved.

“We have now arrested 35 people in connection with this criminality; some of whom have already appeared before the courts facing charges,” he said. “There has been a lot of misinformation circulating online today about further protest activity across the force area and I urge people to please be mindful about information you see and choose to share online.

“Please consult trusted sources of information, such as ourselves, the local authority and the fire service if you see information that concerns you. We have specially-trained intelligence teams scanning continuously to verify information and should we confirm accuracy, we will make direct contact with those likely to be affected.

“Like the majority across the country, I am disgusted and disappointed at the racial hatred seen last weekend. I know some are angry and may feel the need to protest against the violence we saw. However, I now call for calm to be restored and normality to resume whilst my officers continue to work bravely in very challenging circumstances to keep our streets safe and bring those responsible to justice."

Hundreds of counter-protesters have gathered in Walthamstow ahead of a planned demonstration by far-right groups.

Groups were chanting “whose streets? our streets!”.

Nearby, one person wearing a skull balaclava has been stopped and is being searched by police.

A man put his middle finger up at a judge after being denied bail for alleged racially aggravated assault and public order offences.

Matthew Wilson, 31, of Parrock Street, Rossendale, repeatedly punched the glass of the dock and shouted obscenities at Manchester Magistrates’ Court after he pleaded not guilty on Wednesday.

Prosecutor Laura Peers alleged Wilson and Alex Fraser, 20, made racist comments and “randomly” attacked an Asian man in Manchester city centre on Monday, and had boasted of their involvement in wider disorder.

After being denied bail, Wilson said: “I’ve had nothing to do with the riots.”

Fraser, of Leicester Road, Salford, also pleaded not guilty to racially aggravated assault and denied taking part in any wider disorder.

Fraser and Wilson were both remanded into custody and will appear at Manchester Crown Court on September 11.

After being denied bail, Fraser, who was visibly upset as he left court, said: “I wasn’t even planning on being in town.”

Conservative leadership contender Robert Jenrick has come under fire for claiming that protesters shouting 'Allahu Akbar' should be 'immediately arrested'. The Tory MP has been accused of 'nasty divisive rhetoric' and 'textbook Islamophobia' for remarks he made about the Arabic phrase - which means 'God is great'.

Jenrick addressed claims that far-right riots have been dealt with more harshly than others during unrest over the last week, including policing of pro-Palestinian demonstrations in London. He told Sky News: "I have been very critical of the police in the past, particularly around the attitude of some police forces to the protests that we saw since October 7.

"I thought it was quite wrong that somebody could shout Allahu Akbar on the streets of London and not be immediately arrested, project genocidal chants on to Big Ben and not be immediately arrested. That attitude is wrong and I'll always call out the police for it."

Read the full story from Birmingham Live.

Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Parkinson said he does not believe courts currently need to sit overnight and at weekends to deal with those charged in connection with the recent unrest, but it is something they are “reviewing constantly”.

Parkinson said: “There have been some additional court sittings during the daytime and that’s been enough for the time being, but there is potential to have extended court sittings, night courts, weekend courts.

“If I make the decision alongside colleagues in the police force that we need that extra capacity, then we will be approaching the judiciary and there’s a protocol in place which will enable that to happen very speedily.”

He added that “at the moment, we believe it is sufficient, but this is something that we are reviewing constantly”.

Residents in Liverpool said they were on alert amid far-right riots.

Scotland’s first minister John Swinney has said he has “deep concern” about escalating violence across the UK.

Following a meeting with faith leaders in Scotland, Swinney said: “I’m very concerned – as many people are in our community – about the violence that has erupted in other parts of the United Kingdom.”

However, the first minister added that police officers in Scotland were equipped to deal with any unrest north of the border.

Officers were assessing risks in Scotland amid concerns of demonstrations across the country.

He said: “We can’t demonstrate at this stage if those risks will materialise, but what we can do is prepare for such risks and I am confident that Police Scotland is working with absolute focus on making sure that should any risks of that materialise, we are able to put in place the measures to provide assurance and safety for the communities in Scotland who have a right to feel safe in our society today.”

Deputy prime minister Angela Rayner has said “it’s not a legitimate complaint to throw bricks at police” as she vowed those involved with riots “will be met with the law”.

She said: “Over 140 people have been charged so far and it’s right that our courts deal with that, and we’ve said that we will support the courts and will support the police in carrying out their duties.

“But people need to understand that if you throw missiles, if you attack people, if you incite hatred and violence, whether that’s online, or whether you’re offline, you will be met with the law because it is unlawful.

“We end up in a situation we have here where people’s lives were at risk and police officers’ lives were put at risk by a small minority of criminality and thuggish behaviour.”

Asked what further tools were at the government’s disposal for dealing with riots, Rayner said: “The prime minister has set out how we’re deploying police and how we’re making sure that we’re working with social media companies on the online situation as well, and working with communities, but what has been heartening is to see the community response.

“The vast majority of the British people see this for what it is, that it is criminality, it is thuggish behaviour. It’s not a legitimate complaint to throw bricks at police and to try and set fire to public buildings, that’s not acceptable.”

Police in Walthamstow are already on high alert, with officers positioned in both the centre and at the train station.

A large group of men were seen shouting outside a Travelodge before being met with at least 30 officers.

A young boy also appeared to have been stopped by officers at the train station. A group of people surrounded the police van and were seen shouting at officers.

One of Essex's highest-ranking officers has sent a clear and simple message to residents ahead of rumoured protests in the county. It comes against the backdrop of social media rumours about potential far-right protests being held in Chelmsford and Southend on Wednesday (August 7).

Assistant Chief Constable Andy Mariner has insisted some details circulating online are "just plain false". He also warned anyone wanting to potentially cause unrest in Essex that officers will be waiting for them and they will face being arrested.

Read the full story from Essex Live.

Three men have been jailed after they admitted to their roles in rioting in the wake of the killing of three young girls in Southport.

The sentences are the first at the Crown Court over the disorder after the cases were fast-tracked as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer promised quick punishment for those involved.

Read the full story from Sky News.

Some police forces in the UK have introduced dispersal orders to keep rioting contained, following ugly demonstrations in places such as Plymouth, Sunderland, Rotherham, and Hull.

Read the full story from the Evening Standard.

The number of people charged in connection with recent unrest has continued to rise, as parts of the UK are steeled for as many as 100 events connected with the disorder on Wednesday.

Another 20 people were charged overnight, the Crown Prosecution Service said, bringing the total to more than 140, as police chiefs continued to warn rioters they could “expect a knock at the door”.

Read the full story from PA.

Sir Keir Starmer said justice is being served with some rioters already behind bars as the prime minister sent a warning to those causing “violent disorder” on streets across the UK.

A Downing Street spokesperson said: “The prime minister’s message to anybody causing violent disorder on our streets is clear – you will feel the full force of the law – and today, we are already seeing justice being served.

“Within a matter of days, some of the criminals involved in these riots have been put behind bars.

“This is just the start, with over 400 arrests, 120 charged and more people being hauled in front of the courts every day, our criminal justice system is showing violent thuggery has no place on our streets.”

Police in Lincolnshire have issued a dispersal order ahead of planned far-right disorder.

Ofcom has urged social media companies to do more to deal with content stirring up hatred or provoking violence on Britain’s streets.

In an open letter, the watchdog said: “In a few months, new safety duties under the Online Safety Act will be in place, but you can act now – there is no need to wait to make your sites and apps safer for users.”

The letter, signed by Ofcom director for online safety Gill Whitehead, said it would publish guidance “later this year” setting out what social media companies are required to do to tackle “content involving hatred, disorder, provoking violence or certain instances of disinformation”.

It added: “We expect continued engagement with companies over this period to understand the specific issues they face and we welcome the proactive approaches that have been deployed by some services in relation to these acts of violence across the UK.”

Businesses in areas anticipating far-right crowds have closed and boarded up their properties amid warnings of violence and unrest.

Police are expecting demonstrations in up to 100 areas around the country - around 70 more than they had initially anticipated.

Walthamstow MP Stella Creasy has urged people in the local area to stay safe and check on their neighbours amid fears of planned disruption in London.

The number of people arrested in the wake of riots around the country now stands at 428, according to the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC).

The number of people charged now stands at around 120.

It comes as police warned suspects could be remanded in custody, even if they do not have any previous convictions, as a deterrent, and that those involved in violent disorder could face up to five years in jail.

In a further warning, police chiefs will avoid releasing suspects on bail to get them behind bars and in court immediately, the NPCC said.

Walthamstow MP Stella Creasy has issued a message to residents amid concerns over violence in the area.

Liam Ryan, 28, cried as he pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Manchester Magistrates’ Court this morning.

Prosecutor Laura Peers said Ryan had travelled from West Yorkshire to play an “active role in the disorder” in Piccadilly Gardens on Saturday.

Peers said a “large group of far-right protesters” were seen engaging in an “altercation with one black male”, which was filmed by members of the group and uploaded on social media.

She said Ryan “was seen on the footage aiming a punch towards the male involved”.

District Judge Jane Hamilton remanded Ryan, who was shaking as he wiped tears away with a tissue after pleading guilty, into custody and ordered him to appear at Manchester Crown Court on 14 August.

The Home Office has issued a video warning of the consequences of rioting.

The man who was stabbed in the leg as he attempted to disarm the Southport attacker has criticised the prime minister’s handling of the ongoing riots. Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme this morning, John Hayes said Sir Keir Starmer should listen to concerns about immigration.

Hayes said: “There appears to be a strong undercurrent of discontent for some time about the levels of immigration. And this is just a catalyst or a trigger, but I don’t think it’s the root cause.

“I do get dismayed when I hear Keir Starmer talking about [how] the police are going to come down with the full force of the law on these people. But they are not actually talking about the root cause, and they need to start listening and understanding that. They need to address the cause rather than the symptoms.”

Ongoing protests and riots have prompted several countries to issue safety warnings to citizens travelling to the UK.

Violence broke out in several towns and cities in England and Northern Ireland following the killing of three young girls at a dance class in Southport last week. More than 400 people have so far been arrested in the wake of disorder around the country, according to police sources, with the number expected to continue to rise in the coming days.

Read the full story from Yahoo News.

More famous faces have contributed to a huge fundraiser for a Liverpool library that was set on fire during riots at the weekend. The Spellow Hub was torched by thugs who were rampaging through County Road in Walton on Saturday night.

The Spellow Hub Library reopened last year after investment from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. Described as a 'library of the future', the key aim of the community facility is to provide education and opportunities for people in what is one of the most deprived communities in the country.

Read the full story from the Liverpool Echo.

Police are searching for a rioter who smashed a police dog in the face with a brick as a far-right mob tried to burn down a hotel amid the ongoing violent disorder across the UK.

Vixen the police dog was attacked as officers tried to protect the Holiday Inn Express in Tamworth, Staffordshire, on Sunday night.

Read the full story from Yahoo News.

Inquests into the deaths of the three Southport stabbing victims have been opened and adjourned, as a coroner said it was "impossible to adequately articulate the devastating, lifelong effects" of the "truly tragic events".

Bebe King, six, Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, died after the stabbing at the Hart Space in Southport, Merseyside, on Monday July 29.

Read the full story from Nottinghamshire Live.

Mark Rowley was asked about claims police respond differently to different people.

The wife of a Tory councillor has been arrested after calling for hotels housing migrants to be set on fire.

In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Lucie Connolly wrote last Monday: “Mass deportation now, set fire to all the f—ing hotels full of the b— for all I care, while you’re at it take the treacherous government [and] politicians with them.”

Mrs Connolly, who was a childminder at the time, resigned her registration with regulator Ofsted on Tuesday.

Read the full story from The Telegraph.

“Keyboard warriors” inciting violence are “not safe from the law”, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has warned.

“Whether you’re in this country committing crimes on the streets or committing crimes from further afield online, we will come after you,” he told broadcasters.

“Being a keyboard warrior does not make you safe from the law.

“You can be guilty of offences of incitement, of stirring up racial hatred. There are numerous terrorist offences regarding the publishing of material.

“All of those offences are in play if people are provoking hatred and violence on the streets, and we’ll come after those individuals, just as we will physically confront on the streets the thugs and the yobs who are causing the problems for communities.”

An assistant chief constable at Essex Police this morning commented on social media rumours that the county will be targeted by rioters on Wednesday.

Andy Mariner said there is “disinformation on social media” and said people should “ignore it”.

However, he also warned anyone planning to take part in unrest that officers will be ready to act.

He said: “If you’re planning on coming here intent on disorder, we will be waiting for you, and you will be arrested.”

Tory leadership hopeful Robert Jenrick accused prime minister Sir Keir Starmer of “as clear as he could be” that some of the disorder plaguing Britain’s streets emanated from “sectarian gangs”.

Jenrick, a former immigration minister, told Times Radio this morning that “we mustn’t be squeamish or selective in how we call out violence”.

He added: “I think the prime minister has not been as clear as he could be about the fact that, whilst the majority, the overwhelming majority of the incidents that we’ve seen have emanated either from the far right or from a range of thugs and criminals who’ve chosen to take part in these events, there are nonetheless a much smaller number of sectarian gangs who have been causing disruption, violence and intimidation.”

However, Jenrick himself has been questioned over whether language he has previously used has inflamed tensions.

Police were injured in Plymouth and officers in Northern Ireland were pelted with petrol bombs as violence continued for a seventh day after the Southport stabbings, with more than 400 people arrested and around 100 charged.

In the aftermath of the latest night of disorder, one senior officer in Plymouth said: “This is not a protest any more. In my opinion, this is violence. This is sustained violence.”

When asked how difficult it was to control the disorder Inspector Ryan North Moore, from Devon and Cornwall Police told Sky News “It’s off the scale today. With the resources we’ve got, it’s difficult.”

Read the full story from Yahoo News to read where violence has broken out across the UK.