Why are there riots in the U.K.? Anti-immigrant violence erupts in England as disinformation spreads

Northern England faced intense social unrest over the weekend, as rioters set fire to hotels sheltering asylum seekers and engaged in violent clashes with the police. This upheaval marks the worst bout of social unrest in the U.K. in years, triggered by the stabbing of three young girls in Southport, northwest England.

The far-right has exploited this incident, spreading disinformation via social media, including false claims that the attacker was an immigrant, to fuel anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant sentiments. Police have clarified that the suspect was born in Britain.

Footage from CNN shows protesters vandalizing and setting ablaze two Holiday Inns in Tamworth and Rotherham. In Tamworth, protesters threw projectiles, smashed windows, and started fires, injuring a police officer. In Rotherham, protesters used wooden planks and fire extinguishers, and set fires near the hotel, which was “full of terrified residents and staff,” according to Assistant Chief Constable Lindsey Butterfield.

How are authorities responding?

Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the violence, emphasizing that those involved will face the full force of the law.

“People in this country have a right to be safe and yet, we’ve seen Muslim communities targeted, attacks on mosques, other minority communities singled out, Nazi salutes in the street, attacks on the police, wanton violence alongside racist rhetoric,” Starmer declared from Downing Street on Sunday. “So no, I won’t shy away from calling it what it is: far-right thuggery.”

The U.K.’s policing minister announced a “nick them quick” approach to arrest and charge rioters swiftly, in order to act as a deterrent to further unrest. Dame Diana Johnson assured the public that the police have the necessary resources and there is no immediate need to bring in the army.

In response to the attacks on mosques, the U.K.’s Home Office has introduced new emergency security measures to offer greater protection. The Home Office stated that “the police, local authorities, and mosques can ask for rapid security to be deployed, protecting communities and allowing for a return to worship as quickly as possible.”

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper condemned the actions of the rioters, stating, “Nobody should make any excuses for the shameful actions of the hooligans, thugs, and extremist groups who have been attacking police officers, looting local shops, or attacking people based on the color of their skin.”

What does this mean for the government?

The violent unrest poses a significant challenge to the Labour government led by Prime Minister Starmer just weeks after assuming power. The government’s response and efforts to quell the violence and address underlying issues will be crucial in restoring order and trust among the U.K.’s communities.

Starmer will chair the government’s Cobra emergency response group on Monday in an effort to curb far-right violence, as the Home Secretary vowed that rioters will face “swift justice.”

To expedite the processing of those arrested over the weekend, the government has placed courts on standby and deployed additional prosecutors, according to Home Secretary Cooper.

By Sunday night, the number of arrests had climbed to 420 following violent incidents across more than a dozen cities and towns.