Violent conflict, not traditionally a feature of life in Britain, arrived with brutal force this weekend. Angry mobs targeted mosques and attacked hotels housing migrants, setting at least one on fire. Businesses were looted, and groups of men have been seen gathering in force, holding weapons and attacking others. Although more than 400 arrests have been made so far, and no doubt more will follow, the police have often appeared outnumbered and unable to deploy sufficient force to quell the riots. The sight of officers in riot gear cowering against the wall of a hotel is a worrying one.
When the Prime Minister spoke on Sunday, he made it clear that ‘those who participated will face the full force of the law’ for their ‘organised violent thuggery’. Keir Starmer referenced the 2011 riots, which occurred during his time as director of public prosecutions, when rapid, exemplary justice saw rioters and those who had incited riots quickly being tried and sentenced.
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