By Antony Clements
Hundreds of far right thugs have been told to “mask up” for yet more planned violence expected this week across the United Kingdom, after distressing scenes over the weekend.
Yet more distressing scenes of violence are set to play out this week.
Far right thugs have planned another day of action with dozens of protests across the country due this week, as members were warned to be there “or be cowed”.
Vile scenes of violence have been seen across the country since three young girls were stabbed and killed while attending a dance event in Southport.
The escalating violence continued over the weekend and so far, there have been 378 arrests as the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) warned the total was expected to rise each day.
The horrendous scenes are set to carry on this week, as a message was shared to thousands of the extremists telling them to “mask up” on Wednesday. They were ordered to attend the demonstrations – with as many as 39 planned – or “be cowed”, reports the Express.
Among the latest scenes of widespread and continued disorder, anti-immigration rioters smashed the windows of the Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham at the weekend before starting fires.
Masked men among the 700-strong crowd hurled lengths of wood, chairs and bottles with some spraying fire extinguishers at police officers At least 10 officers were injured, with one knocked unconscious, South Yorkshire Police said.
On Sunday evening, a similar incident happened at a Holiday Inn hotel in Tamworth, Staffordshire, where reports suggested asylum seekers were also being housed.
Thugs set fires, smashed windows and threw missiles at officers, Staffordshire Police said. Earlier the same afternoon, a group of rioters in Middlesbrough smashed the windows of houses and cars and threw objects at officers.
There were 43 arrests, with crown court and university buildings sustaining significant damage, Cleveland Police said. Greater Manchester Police used powers amid disturbances in Bolton to order people to “remove face coverings used to disguise or conceal their appearance”.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has faced calls to recall Parliament. He said a “standing army” of specialist police officers will be set up to deal with rioting and unrest.
Speaking after an emergency Cobra meeting, the Prime Minister said: “There are a number of actions that came out of the meeting. The first is we will have a standing army of specialist public duty officers so we will have enough officers to deal with this where we need them.
“The second is we will ramp up criminal justice. There have already been hundreds of arrests, some have appeared in court this morning. I have asked for early consideration of the earliest naming and identification of those involved in the process who will feel the full force of the law.”
Meanwhile, National Police Chiefs’ Council chairman Gavin Stephens stressed police were not “anti-protest” but were “anti-crime”. He said: “We are doing all we can to tackle this disorder and keep you safe. We are here to protect the public and keep the peace, no matter your beliefs”.
