Keir Starmer backs police to keep roads safe from ‘extremists’

Police have the government’s “full support” in taking action against “extremists” who are trying to “spread hate”, the prime minister said, following riots in several cities in England and Northern Ireland.

A wave of far-right demonstrations took place on Saturday, in cities including Liverpool, Belfast, Hull, Stoke and Bristol, some of which saw bottles thrown, windows smashed and scuffles with officers and counter-protesters – but not all demonstrations turned violent.

Tensions are high after the killing of three girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance party in Southport, Merseyside, on Monday.

Several police forces reported that officers had been injured during police demonstrations.

Several arrests have been made.

At a meeting of government ministers on Saturday, spokesman Sir Keir Starmer said the PM told those gathered that “the right to freedom of expression and the disruption of violence that we are seeing are two very different things” and that “there is no excuse for violence.” whatever and insist that the government supports the police to take all necessary actions to keep our streets safe”.

On Saturday, the home secretary also warned that anyone subjected to “unacceptable harassment” will pay the price, and that he will work with the police force to help ensure “consequences, arrests and prosecutions” for those responsible.

“Violence and criminal disorder have no place on Britain’s streets,” said Yvette Cooper.

The police have the full support of the government to take action against those who indulge in “thuggishness”, he added.

Several suspects have been arrested and detained, with more arrests expected, he said.

Those who commit violence face “imprisonment and travel bans” among other penalties, he said, adding that “adequate” prison space is available.

People have a “right to feel safe”, added Ms Cooper.

Groups shouting Islamophobia and anti-immigration slogans were met in many places by anti-racist and anti-fascist demonstrations.

In Liverpool, bricks, bottles and flares were thrown at police, one officer was hit on the head when a chair was thrown, and another was kicked and his motorbike thrown.

The protest was centered on the city’s waterfront, with the atmosphere feeling chaotic as police struggled to control it.

Less than a mile away, several hundred anti-fascist protesters gathered at Liverpool’s Lime Street station at lunchtime, calling for unity and tolerance, chanting “refugees welcome here” and “Nazi scum, on our way”.

He went down to the Pier Head to face a thousand anti-immigrant protesters. Riot police with dogs are fighting to keep both sides safe.

Smoke cans, bottles and cans of paint were thrown by people chanting anti-immigrant slogans, some wearing masks.

Several arrests were made and police forces arrived in vans to try to maintain order. A police plane was seen circling overhead.

Shoppers and visitors to Liverpool’s waterfront were visibly surprised to see the crowds. Many are wondering if it has anything to do with the terrible events in Southport on Monday.

Merseyside Police confirmed several officers had been injured in what they described as a “serious disturbance” in the city centre, adding that two had been taken to hospital – one with a suspected broken nose and one with a suspected broken jaw.

The trooper said one person was arrested.

Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Simms said that “disruption, violence and destruction have no place in Merseyside, at least not after the tragic events that took place in Southport on Monday”.

He said that “officers were met with a shameful level of violence and attempted provocation by some people who are now…

“People who behave like this bring shame on themselves and this city. Their behavior does not reflect well on the good people of Merseyside, and any attempt to drive a wedge between our communities in the wake of such a terrible tragedy will not succeed.

In Manchester, there were scuffles with the police, and at least one arrest.

While in Belfast, protesters outside a mosque threw objects at members of the media before smashing the windows of a cafe.

In Hull, protesters smashed windows at a hotel used to house asylum seekers, and threw bottles and eggs at police.

The Town Hall was locked while the British Chess Championship was held inside.

Humberside Police said three police officers were injured and four people were arrested amid disturbances in the city center that saw shops looted and items set on fire.

In Blackpool, Demonstrators face death against punks attend the Rebellion Festival. The Press Association news agency reported that there was a small police presence as a dispute broke out between the two groups, with bottles and chairs being thrown.

Lancashire Police say they have arrested more than 20 people. The force said it was focusing on Blackpool but there were also “minor disturbances” in Blackburn and Preston.

In Bristol, demonstrators and counter-protests involved in a standoff.

One group could be heard chanting Rule Britannia, “Britain till I die” and “we want our country back”, while the other side chanted “refugees are welcome here”.

Beer cans have been thrown at anti-racist groups, and some rival protesters have been charged by officers.

Police said several arrests have been made.

In Stoke-on-Trent, bricks were thrown at officers. Staffordshire Police said that two people in the middle of online claims that they had been stabbed had actually been hit by an object that was thrown, and they were not seriously injured.

The force said 10 people had been arrested and three officers suffered minor injuries.

Not all of the demonstrations held in the UK turned violent on Saturday, and in some places the protesters have already dispersed. Another is scheduled for later in the day.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s spokesman said the police had their “full support” to take action against “extremists” who were trying to “spread hate”.

protest there followed the night of violence in Sunderland Friday, which saw four hospital police officers and 10 people arrested.

Hundreds rioted, beer cans and bricks were thrown at riot police outside the mosque and the Citizens’ Advisor’s office was set on fire.

Twelve people have been arrested in connection with the violence.

In Sunderland, some members of the crowd could be heard shouting Islamophobia and chanting in support of right-wing activist Tommy Robinson, founder of the now-defunct English Defense League (EDL).

The X account of Robinson, an alias for Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, has promoted false claims that the alleged Southport attacker was an asylum seeker who had recently arrived in England by boat.

Cities and towns including London, Hartlepool, Manchester, and Aldershot have seen protests descend into violence in recent days, following the Southport knife attack, which also left seven other children and two adults injured.

South Wales Police issued a dispersal order in Cardiff on Saturday, in the area around Mermaid Quay and the Senedd.

The BBC has identified at least 30 demonstrations planned by far-right activists across the UK over the weekend, including a recent protest in Southport.

An additional 70 prosecutors are on standby this weekend to charge people incarcerated for violent disorder.

Shadow home secretary James Cleverly called on Sir Keir and the home secretary to “do more” to restore public order and “send a clear message to thugs”.

Earlier this week, the prime minister announced a new national violence disruption program to help tackle violent gangs by allowing police forces to share intelligence.

With additional reporting by BBC News reporters across the UK.