UK riots latest: Thousands of people fill streets across England with signs of 'love' and 'unity' - as far-right protests don't materialise (2024)

That's all our coverage on this story for now - we'll be back on tomorrow with all the latest updates.

Before we go, here's a reminder of the key events from the last 24 hours:

• Thousands of counter-protesters have taken to the streets across England in response to days of unrest from far-right rioters;
• The 100 far-right demonstrators that police were bracing for largely did not materialise;
• There have been more arrests this evening in relation to the far-right violence, as well as some anti-social behaviour in Croydon, south London;
• More of the rioters were convicted earlier today including one man who punched a police officer in the face being jailed for three years;
• One case is actively being investigated as terrorism, the director of public prosecutions revealed.

Tonight's counter demonstrations have made the front page of several of the newspapers' Thursday editions, after several days of coverage of the far-right riots.

Here is a selection.

The i reported that rioters involved in the unrest in recent days may face being banned from attending football matches.

Meanwhile, Metro reports that supporters of Vladimir Putin have infiltrated the online chat groups being used to organise the far-right gatherings.

More from the Met Police this evening.

The force said they made 15 arrests around the capital - 10 in Croydon, four in Waltham Forest and one in Hounslow.

The anti-racist protests in Walthamstow and Finchley "passed without major incident", the Met said, but they faced "anti-social behaviour from a small group in Croydon who were not related to any protest, but were intent on causing trouble".

In Croydon, four people were arrested on suspicion of breaching the dispersal order, four more on suspicion of violent disorder, one on suspicion of an assault on an emergency worker, and one on suspicion for going equipped for arson.

In Waltham Forest, two were arrested on suspicion of having an offensive weapon - which police said was a lock knife and golf club - one on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly, and one on suspicion of obstructing a stop and search.

The arrest in Hounslow was in relation to possession of an offensive weapon.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Andy Valentine said: "This evening more than 1,000 officers were deployed in London ready to respond to events planned across the city. They were ready to protect our communities from hateful, divisive and violent behaviour.

"Our top priority has been to keep our communities safe, prevent significant disorder and swiftly deal with any offenders. A number of arrests were made across the city this evening.

"I want to thank our communities for coming together across the capital and for showing community spirit this evening," he added.

"I would also like to thank the committed officers who have been working hard to police London today, serving their communities and keeping people safe."

By Henry Vaughan, home affairs reporter

Liverpool Crown Court earlier heard details of the impact rioting has had on police and the community.

The chief constable of Merseyside Police wrote a witness statement for the sentencing hearing of three men involved in the disorder.

Serena Kennedy said more than 150 officers from her force, and between 75 and 150 from others, had been deployed every day since 31 July to respond to disorder.

A team of 55 staff is investigating the disorder along with specialist investigators looking into online incidents, which means "taking staff away from investigating other crimes", she said, while the cost to policing "is immense" given the existing £21m budget shortfall.

As we reported earlier, 93 officers were injured in incidents in Merseyside on the nights of 30 July and 2 and 3 August, with injuries including leg fractures, a broken jaw and teeth knocked out. Police dogs have also been injured.

"The level of aggression I witnessed which was directly aimed at my officers… is unprecedented," she said.

"It was horrifying to see."

'Panic attacks'

The chief constable said many of those who have been attacked talked of "psychological symptoms" along with their physical injuries.

"Some have been waking up in the night with panic attacks while others have described the fear they felt whilst deployed to the disorder that they may not return home safely to their families.

"A number of victims have expressed their disbelief that officers have not been killed as a result of the appalling scenes of violence they have faced."

Away from what we've seen on the streets this evening, police in Manchester say they have arrested a man in his 30s on suspicion of affray after a video appeared on social media.

Shared on X by a Muslim group called DOAM (Documenting Oppression Against Muslims), the video appears to show a man chasing after a vehicle with a hedge trimmer at a petrol station.

Greater Manchester Police said: "We were made aware of a video circulating on social media which showed a man approaching a vehicle in possession of a hedge trimmer on Monday evening.

"Our officers acted swiftly and last night arrested a man in his 30s on suspicion of affray.

"He remains in police custody for questioning and enquiries are ongoing."

More on our 11.01pm post about arrests made this evening around the country.

Three people have now been arrested in Carlisle on suspicion of public order offences connected to online posts intending to stir up religious hatred.

The three arrests were made during a police operation earlier on Wednesday.

Two men - one aged 40 from Carlisle and a 31-year-old from Maryport - were arrested in connection with the alleged posting of hate-related content online.

A third man, a 41-year-old from Carlisle, was arrested in connection with the alleged posting online of content encouraging violence against police officers and promoting public disorder.

All remain in custody.

'We will not hesitate to act on online content'

Chief Superintendent Carl Patrick, from Cumbria Constabulary, said: "Our officers have been out across Carlisle today to keep our communities safe from potential planned disorder.

"Our proactive actions and the support of our communities have resulted in no significant disorder taking place.

"We took positive action into reports of online activity which attempted to incite violence and hatred. This sends a very clear message that we will not hesitate to act against those who post such content online.

"Criminality of any kind will not be tolerated in our county, and we will do all we can to ensure offenders are brought to justice. We are not complacent and will continue to carry out this proactive policing approach."

Another conviction to tell you about now - this time involving an 18-year-old.

Cole Stewart, of Victoria Road in Darlington, threw multiple objects at officers deployed to violent disorder in the town on Monday night.

Durham Constabulary said Stewart was arrested at the scene and pleaded guilty to violent disorder today.

He will be sentenced at Teesside Crown Court on Friday.

You can watch footage of the incident released by police here...

ByJason Farrell, home editor

The Portsmouth UK Border Agency was listed online as a place of protest and around 80 anti-migrant demonstrators turned up chanting "save our kids".

"We're making our kids safe," said a man who listed everyday activities such as going to school and walking down the street as things children couldn't do any more "because there are too many immigrants".

One woman with a British flag told me her children didn't want her to come here, so she was doing so for her grandchildren.

'If it kicks off, it kicks off'

Another man said: "I've had enough with immigration, uncontrolled immigration, society is crumbling. They are coming in boat-load, after boat-load, after boat-load."

Another added: "They are taking all our money, taking all our housing benefits, we're giving all our tax money to them and we're left with nothing."

The people I spoke to said they wanted to protest peacefully and have their voices heard - but one added: "If it kicks off, it kicks off. We aren't afraid of anyone - if it kicks off, watch us kick off."

Shortly afterwards they decided to block traffic on a main trunk road through town.

Chicken nugget signals end of protest

About five minutes later, a brigade of riot police arrived and forcefully cleared the area and soon enough the group dispersed.

There were counter-protesters, some had their faces covered and ran at a group of anti-migrant youths, but the police unit were quick to step in and separate the rival gatherings.

One young man, whose friends said was 17, was arrested after blocking the road.

At this stage it was hard to tell which group he belonged to - until he was taken into the van and yelled back at his friends "save our kids".

I was struck by a chicken nugget as the last protesters disappeared down side-streets and, with that, it was over.

A few more arrests from around the country tonight to tell you about.

Bristol

First up, police say they've made an arrest after a brick was thrown at a police vehicle and a bottle was hurled.

"We've facilitated a largely peaceful protest but we won't tolerate acts of criminality," Avon and Somerset Police said.

"Significant numbers of officers remain in the Old Market area to maintain order."

Birmingham

Police have arrested a man following social media rumours about protests in Bordesley Green on Monday night.

West Midlands Police said the 49-year-old was detained this evening.

He was arrested on suspicion of inciting racial hatred and possession of a firearm and remains in custody.

The arrest follows investigations into posts on various social media platforms alleged to be inciting racial hatred with an image of a man holding a firearm.

Carlisle

Four people have been arrested in Carlisle - where a dispersal order has been in place, as we reported at 4.21pm.

Cumbria Police arrested a 31-year-old man in connection with the alleged posting of hate-related content online.

An 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession of cannabis and a 33-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly.

They remain in police custody.

A 16-year-old boy was also arrested on suspicion of breach of a dispersal order.

ByDan Whitehead,West of England and Wales correspondent

Tonight's domination by anti-racism campaigners on the streets of Bristol was a clear message from a liberal city known for its cultural acceptance.

The afternoon was filled with concern and anticipation. Shops, cafes and businesses closed early and boarded up.

In the end, thousands of counter-protestors did arrive - they just didn't have anything to counter.

Were the far-right ever going to turn up? We'll never know.

But the risk, after more than a week of violence, was enough to bring out a large number against it.

"The protest has done its job," one local tells me.

"It demonstrated that Bristol welcomes people of all colours and I hope we've sent a message to the far right."

Police stayed on standby

Another protester, Avril, felt compelled to join the crowds, saying: "It's good for the young people to see adults standing in solidarity to say no to racism."

There was a flurry of activity towards the end of the night with one arrest made after a bottle was thrown.

But the hundreds of public order officers were, on the whole, kept on standby.