In the seven days since the dreadful attack at a Taylor Swift themed dance class in Southport, the UK has been subjected to multiple violent protests and riots. These riots have resulted in over 250 arrests, with over 110 arrests in London alone. It is likely we will see significantly more arrests once those inciting violence online have been identified, as well additional perpetrators that are identifiable once CCTV, body worn camera, and social media video footage have been analysed.
These mark the greatest period of civil unrest experienced in the UK in recent history, with the sheer volume, nature, and dispersal of violent events within a condensed period of time making management by the authorities incredibly difficult. Furthermore, there is no sign to indicate an end the hostilities, just as there is no indication to show when the next events will occur. This is largely due to the decentralised and independent nature of these events, each event occurring through local groups rather than having any consistent national direction or association with a specific organisation/entity. Whilst there are a number of organisations that are linked to the events that are occurring, the organic nature of the demonstrations over the past week have been a defining factor.
Following on from demonstrations and riots in Aldershot, Hartlepool, London, Manchester, Southend, and Southport, this weekend saw a further 56 gatherings (either violent or peaceful), including violent incidents in Belfast, Blackpool, Bolton, Bristol, Hull, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Middlesbrough, Rotherham, Stoke-on-Trent, Tamworth, and Weymouth. These incidents resulted in assaults on both police officers and bystanders, missiles thrown, shops being ransacked, flaming bins being rolled/thrown at police, and arson attacks on hotels believed to be housing asylum seekers.
>> Download Special Bulletin – Recent Civil Unrest in the UK
