UK police patrol far-right protests after third night of riots

UK police monitor far-right protests and counter-demonstrations after misinformation-fueled violence, posing a challenge to Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

UK police monitored several far-right protests and counter-demonstrations on August 3 after a third night of rioting linked to misinformation about a mass stabbing that killed three young girls and sparked fears of more unrest.

The violence, which has seen scores of arrests across England and put Britain’s Muslim community on edge, presents the biggest challenge yet of Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s month-old premiership.

It has also put hard-right agitators linked to football hooliganism in the spotlight at a time when anti-immigration elements are enjoying some electoral success in British politics.

By early afternoon, demonstrations were underway in several UK cities, including Manchester, Leeds, Nottingham, Portsmouth and London, as well as Belfast in the province of Northern Ireland. There were no immediate reports of violence.

Police are on high alert after 10 people were arrested and four officers required hospital treatment following a riot in the northeastern English city of Sunderland late on August 2.

Footage broadcast by the BBC showed a mob of several hundred rampaging in Sunderland’s city centre, attacking police and setting fire to at least one car and a building next to a police station.

Other images shared on social media showed balaclava-clad youths throwing bricks and other missiles as fireworks and flares were let off, while shops were also looted.