SIR Keir Starmer will today chair a third Cobra emergency meeting with law enforcement authorities over the violent riots.
After a visit to a mosque in Solihull, the Prime Minister said it was “important we don’t give up”.
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Police were expecting more than 100 events on Wednesday night, with 30 counter-demonstrations planned.
Shops were boarded up in many towns and cities for fear of riots following a week of violent disorder that began in Southport, Merseyside, on 30 July.
Sir Keir said: “Now it’s important that we don’t give up here and that’s why later today I’ll be having another Cobra meeting with law enforcement, with senior police officers, to make sure that we reflect on last night but also plan for the next days.”
The Labor leader added that “the most important lesson” is one that people sentenced to prison will learn following the violent disorder of recent days.
The PM was asked by broadcasters about the lessons learned and what the Government could do differently in the future.
He replied: “The most important lesson is for those who engage in disorder, because what we have seen is that those who have been arrested – now numbering in the hundreds, many have been charged, some already in court, and now a number of individuals have been convicted to prison sentences, this is a very important message for those involved in the disorder.
“And I repeat: anyone who engages in disorder, whatever the reason they give, will feel the full force of the law.
“This is important to repeat because we need to make sure that in the coming days we can provide the necessary security to our communities, many of whom – I spoke to some this morning – are very anxious about the situation.”
He said Wednesday night’s events went “much better than expected” after many planned anti-immigration protests failed to materialize.
Asked whether he should address the underlying tensions over the immigration issue, the Prime Minister said: “The first priority is the safety of our communities and, yes, last night was much better than expected, but we are not going to give our efforts here.
“That’s why it’s very important that I continue my discussions, in coordination with law enforcement, with law enforcement leaders, to ensure that we have the right officers in the right place, to continue to drive the criminal justice response.
“I was very interested that we could demonstrate that if you are involved in disorder, within a few days you will be in the criminal justice system and some people will start long prison sentences.
“That needs to continue and that’s my only focus.”
He also said that the additional deployment of police officers and the quick conviction of people involved in the disorder were the reasons why the riots did not materialize.
Sir Keir said: “Last night I think the fact that we didn’t see the disorder that was feared is because we had police deployed in large numbers in the right places, providing security to communities.
“We have been able to demonstrate that the criminal justice system works quickly, which is why yesterday we saw the conviction of individuals who were involved in riots days ago, with some of them receiving sentences of up to three years.
“It sent a very powerful message. But I also think that the work that has been done together to reassure our communities is becoming more effective.”
He held a roundtable discussion with Lord Chancellor Shabana Mahmood, West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker, members of the Muslim community and Met police officers who have taken part in recent riots.
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