British police braced for further anti-Muslim violence on Wednesday (Aug. 7) as far-right groups vowed to target asylum centers and immigration law offices across the country, prompting anti-fascist protesters to plan counter-demonstrations.
Britain has been gripped by a wave of escalating violence that erupted early last week when three teenage girls were killed in a knife attack in northwest England. The incident prompted a wave of fake online messages that misidentified the suspect as a Muslim migrant.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has warned rioters they face long prison sentences as he seeks to stamp out Britain's worst outbreak of violence in 13 years. The violence is the first crisis Starmer, a former chief prosecutor, has faced since winning the July 4 election.
“Our first job is to make sure our communities are safe,” he told broadcasters.
“They will be safe. We are doing everything we can to make sure that when a police response is needed, it is there, and when support is needed for certain places, it is there.”
In major cities, groups of several hundred rioters clashed with police and smashed windows of hotels housing asylum seekers from Africa and the Middle East, chanting “get them out” and “stop the boats” – referring to those arriving in Britain in small boats.
They also threw stones at the mosque, frightening local people, including ethnic minorities, who felt they were being targeted for violence.
Online messages circulating said immigration centers and law firms helping migrants would be attacked on Wednesday, with one saying: “Wednesday night, guys. They won't stop coming until you tell them.”
In response, anti-racist and anti-fascist groups held counter-demonstrations in cities and towns across the country.
The government has set up a so-called “reserve army” of 6,000 specialist police officers to respond to any outbreak of violence, and says they will be deployed in large numbers to deal with any unrest.
“The country is facing one of the worst waves of violence in a decade,” said Deputy Assistant Commissioner Andy Valentine, who is in charge of policing operations in London.
“We will not tolerate this on our streets. We will use every force, tactic and tool at our disposal to prevent further chaos.”
He said more than 400 people had been arrested, 100 had been charged, and he expected sentencing to begin soon. (ft/es)
