The British government has urged police officers to remain on high alert ahead of potential riots over the weekend following several days of violent racist attacks and disorder, Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds said on Friday.
The riots began last week when a flood of false posts online misidentified the suspected killer of a stabbing attack that killed three young women in Southport, northwest England, on July 29 as an Islamist migrant.
The violence has been carried out by what Prime Minister Keir Starmer has described as “far-right hooligans”, with the majority of the violence involving Muslims, people of colour and migrants. Windows of hotels hosting refugees have been smashed and stones have been thrown at mosques.
Predictions of widespread right-wing riots on Wednesday failed to materialize, as thousands of counter-protesters took to the streets across the country, raising hopes for authorities that the rioting had stopped.
But there could be further action this weekend. It is unclear how many right-wing riots are planned or whether they will go ahead. About 40 counter-protests are scheduled to take place on Saturday, according to the group Stand Up to Racism.
“Our message to our police officers over the weekend is to remain vigilant, and the government will remain vigilant,” Thomas-Symonds told Sky News.
“We will maintain a high level of readiness,” he said. “We will be prepared for any eventuality over the weekend. I think that is very important.”
Thomas-Symonds said 1,000 extra special police officers had been deployed across the country ahead of the weekend.
More than 480 people have been arrested so far, of whom about 150 have been charged. Dozens have already been jailed, their cases being speedily worked through the justice system, and more will be sentenced on Friday.
The government hopes that swift judicial action will help deter others.
Starmer chaired the third meeting of the government’s COBRA emergency committee on Thursday, during which he said officials would do everything in their power to keep communities safe, Thomas-Symonds said.
“The safety of our citizens… is our top priority,” he said.