Britons protest against far-right riots

Following far-right riots in Great Britain, counter-protesters took to the streets in several cities.

People protested against hatred and racism in London and Brighton yesterday, the British news agency reported. Hundreds of people gathered in Liverpool to protect a centre for asylum seekers.

For example, posters in Liverpool say: “People against Nazis” or “When the poor blame the poor, only the rich win.”

Starmer threatens severe punishment

Police are bracing for more rioting overnight. According to media reports, investigators expect law firms and counselling centres that support asylum seekers with their applications to be targeted. In some places, windows were boarded up.

In light of the alarming new riots, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has threatened rioters with severe penalties. “If you provoke violent disorder on our streets or online, you will face the full force of the law,” the new prime minister wrote on SMS.

Starmer pointed to the first convictions of those involved in the riots. Three men were jailed for between 20 months and three years at a Liverpool court. One of the admitted offenders had beaten a police officer and another had set a police car on fire. Dozens of emergency services workers were injured across the country.

False reports on the internet

The riots were preceded by a knife attack in the town of Southport in north-west England. On 29 July, three girls aged six, seven and nine were killed, and other children and two adults were injured.

Rumors quickly spread online that a Muslim immigrant was the perpetrator. The fake news was shared by influential accounts on X and Telegram.

To counter the false reports, police have finally revealed the identity of the attacker. According to authorities, he is a 17-year-old boy born in Great Britain and of Rwandan parents. The motive for his crime remains unclear.