Police officers remain on high alert amid concerns the unrest will continue this weekend.
The start of the football season has sparked fears of further unrest, with some newspapers reporting that police are considering banning orders for football after investigations suggested a link between protesters and groups of football hooligans.
Sir Keir Starmer has reiterated that the police must remain on “high alert” heading into the weekend.
Latest UK riots: Protests bring Belfast to ‘complete shutdown’
“My message to the police and all those tasked with responding to disorder is to remain on high alert,” the Prime Minister said when visiting the Metropolitan Police special operations room in Lambeth on Friday.
Sir Keir said he was “convinced” that police officers on the streets and “the swift justice that was meted out in our courts” had a “real impact” in deterring further unrest.
The disorder initially began following a mass stabbing attack in Southport that killed three girls on July 29 and injured several others.
Some 741 people have been arrested over the riots, according to the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), of which 302 have been charged.
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King Praises ‘Community Spirit’ That Fought Riots
The King has praised the “community spirit” who fought last week’s riots.
The monarch called for unity and offered his “sincere thanks” to the police for restoring order.
“In these calls, His Majesty was updated on the current situation and expressed his sincere thanks to the police and emergency services for all they are doing to restore peace in areas that have been affected by violent unrest,” said a spokesperson. voice from the Palace.
The king is also said to have “shared how he was greatly encouraged by the many examples of community spirit that countered the aggression and criminality of a few with the compassion and resilience of many”.
The spokesperson added: “It remains Her Majesty’s hope that the shared values of mutual respect and understanding will continue to strengthen and unite the nation.”
Disturbance in Belfast
An anti-racism counter-protest in Belfast city centre. Photo: PA
On Friday night, around a thousand people gathered for a counter-protest against several hundred anti-immigration protesters in Belfast.
A heavy police presence and barriers kept the two groups apart at Belfast City Hall.
This story originally appeared on News.sky.com read the full story
