LONDON — King Charles III has applauded people who took to the streets of British towns and cities earlier this week to help mitigate days of unrest fueled by far-right activists and misinformation over a knife attack that killed three girls.
On Friday, Carlos held telephone hearings with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and law enforcement officials during which he offered his “heartfelt thanks” to police and other emergency workers for their efforts to restore order and help the victims. affected by the violence, Buckingham Palace said in a statement. .
“The king shared how he had been greatly encouraged by the many examples of community spirit that had countered the aggression and criminality of a few with the compassion and resilience of many,” the palace said. “It remains Her Majesty’s hope that the shared values of mutual respect and understanding will continue to strengthen and unite the nation.”
British police remain on alert for the possibility of more violence after the nation was convulsed by unrest for more than a week when crowds chanting anti-immigrant and Islamophobic slogans attacked mosques, looted shops and clashed with police. The government described the violence as “far-right thuggery” and mobilized 6,000 specially trained police officers to quell the unrest.
The riots have been driven by right-wing activists using social media to spread misinformation about the July 29 knife attack in which three girls aged between 6 and 9 were killed during a Taylor Swift-themed dance event in Southport, a seaside town north of Liverpool.
Police arrested a 17-year-old suspect. Rumors, later debunked, quickly circulated on social media that the suspect was an asylum seeker or a Muslim immigrant.
On Saturday, the family of one of the Southport victims, 6-year-old Bebe King, thanked their community, friends and even strangers who had offered comfort to the family in their grief.
“The outpouring of love and support from our community and beyond has been a source of incredible comfort during this unimaginably difficult time,” they wrote. “From the pink lights illuminating Sefton and Liverpool, to the pink bows, flowers, balloons, cards and candles left in their memory, we have been overwhelmed by the kindness and compassion shown to our family.”
He The unrest has largely dissipated since Wednesday night.when a wave of expected far-right demonstrations failed to materialize after thousands of peaceful protesters flocked to locations across the UK to show their support for migrants and asylum seekers.
Police had prepared for clashes at more than 100 locations after right-wing groups circulated lists of potential targets on social media. While anti-racism groups planned counter-protests in response, in most places they took back the streets with nothing to oppose.
Starmer has insisted police will remain on high alert this weekend, which marks the start of the professional football season. Authorities have been studying whether there is a link between the rioters and groups of “soccer hooligans” known for inciting riots at soccer games.
“My message to the police and all those tasked with responding to disorder is to remain on high alert,” Starmer said Friday while visiting the special operations room of London’s Metropolitan Police Service.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council said some 741 people have been arrested in connection with the violence, including 304 who have been charged with criminal offences.
Courts across the country have already begun hearing the cases of those charged in connection with riotsand some received sentences of three years in prison.
Starmer has said he is convinced that the “swift justice that has been delivered in our courts” will deter rioters from returning to the streets this weekend.
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