Met Police chief says 'fears of extreme-right disorder abated' after 'show of unity from communities'
At least 100 far-right marches were planned to take place across the country last night, including in London. But instead, large numbers of counter-protesters turned out in multiple UK cities.
Thursday 8 August 2024 08:07, UK
Metropolitan Police chief Sir Mark Rowley has said the "fears of extreme-right disorder" ended last night due to a successful policing operation and a "show of unity from communities".
Sir Mark said he was "really pleased" with how the overnight operation played out, after a "show of force" from police.
More than 6,000 specialist police had been mobilised amid fears of a repeat of the violence seen around the country over the past week.
It was thought at least 100 far-right marches were planned across the country for last night, including in London.
As the night progressed, far-right protests did not happen as first thought and instead counter-protesters turned out in UK cities - including Birmingham, Liverpool, and Brighton.
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"We put thousands of officers on the street and I think the show of force from the police and frankly the show of unity from communities, together defeated the challenges that we've seen," Sir Mark said.
Meanwhile, policing minister Dame Diana Johnson said that the de-escalation in violence seen on Wednesday was "just the start" adding she was "cautious" of potential future events.
"It's good that we didn't see the level of disorder and criminality on our streets that we have in previous days, but obviously this is just the start," she told Sky News.
"There is now further intelligence of events during the next few days, and we need to see what happens there."
Sky News crime correspondent Martin Brunt said last night there were reports of "small pockets" of far-right protesters in places such as Portsmouth, Brighton, and Blackpool.
However, he said fears about it being the biggest night of trouble faded away.
'You are not going to get away with this'
Asked what his message wasto those who have taken part in the disorder, which began last week in Southport after three young girls were stabbed to death, Sir Mark said: "You are not going to get away with this.
"You're on body-worn video, you're on CCTV, frankly, you're on national TV, you're going to get arrested, and you're going to prison for years.
"The public need to know that there are consequences for these sorts of actions."
He said one individual who took part in disorder that broke out in Whitehall on 29 July was arrested during a morning raid.
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He added that more people alleged to have been "seriously violent" near Downing Street last week were expected to be charged and put before courts in the next 24 hours.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan thanked people who peacefully stood "united against racism and Islamophobia" last night, as well as the "heroic police force" who he said are "working round the clock to keep Londoners safe".
"To those far-right thugs still intent on sowing hatred and division, you will never be welcome here," he said in a post on X.
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Elsewhere, police forces have released CCTV images in a bid to identify people in connection who have taken part in far-right violence.
Merseyside Police issued pictures of 14 people, while South Yorkshire police have published 21 pictures in connection with violent disorder outside the Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham on Sunday. The hotel has been housing asylum seekers.