We will not tolerate attacks on our Muslim communities – Starmer

LONDON (AP):

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Monday that a “standing army” of specialist police would be set up to deal with rioting, and that the justice system would be ramped up to handle hundreds of arrests after violent disorder rocked cities across the nation over the past week.

Starmer convened an urgent meeting after lawlessness he blamed on “far-right thuggery” that was driven in part by misinformation on social media, which whipped up anger over a stabbing rampage at a dance class that killed three girls and wounded 10 people. False rumours spread online that the suspect was a Muslim asylum seeker led to attacks on immigrants and mosques.

“Whatever the apparent motivation, this is not protest. It is pure violence, and we will not tolerate attacks on mosques or our Muslim communities,” Starmer said. “The full force of the law will be visited on all those who are identified as having taken part in these activities.”

On Sunday, angry mobs attacked two hotels used to house asylum seekers, breaking windows and lighting fires before police dispersed the crowds and residents were evacuated. Dozens of police officers have been hospitalised for injuries in the past six days after being struck with bricks, bottles and large wooden posts.

More than 375 people have been arrested in the mayhem so far and more are expected, the National Police Chiefs’ Council said.

Many made court appearances on Monday and found themselves facing at least several weeks behind bars awaiting their next court hearing.

Deputy District Judge Liam McStay in Belfast Magistrates’ Court refused bail for two men who had participated in a march that trashed businesses and set a supermarket on fire in the capital of Northern Ireland. He said he couldn’t allow that to be repeated and “visited on other people”.

“The events at the weekend were absolutely disgraceful: a concerted and deliberate attempt to undermine public order and to then domineer the community; and there were racist elements to it,” McStay said. “The message has to be, if you allow yourself to become involved in these matters for whatever reason, then you will face the consequences.”