Refugee and asylum seeker charities have been forced to close in the UK amid widespread anti-immigration riots. Several towns and cities across Britain have experienced political violence as demonstrators clash with police while protesting against unprecedented immigration levels and related crime rises. The outbreak was prompted by the death of three young children in the northwest England town of Southport when the 17-year-old son of Rwandan immigrants crashed into a Taylor Swift dance class and began stabbing people indiscriminately – killing three children and injuring a dozen others.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called protestors “far-right thugs” and prompted a furious backlash from Britons furious about what they see as a “two-tier” justice system, evidenced by the heavy-handed approach toward native demonstrators, compared to a soft-touch response to immigrants or minorities. For instance, video footage posted to social media shows police cracking down hard on natives while failing to prevent groups of Muslims armed with sticks and other weapons from marching through several towns.
Some hotels housing illegal immigrants were set alight, including in the northeast England city of Sunderland. Charities there said migrants were “terrified” by the rioting, and several organizatons – including legal services – had decided to shut their doors. In nearby Newcastle, an immigration attorney closed down his office and canceled planned events aimed at helping illegal migrants. “We don’t want to put anyone at extra risk,” a worker said.
Courts handed down the first prison sentences to rioters, as they remained open 24 hours per day to deal with the disorder. This move prompted yet more accusations from frustrated locals, who said the courts do not deal so robustly with crimes against them.
One of those jailed was a 69-year-old man who was convicted of violent disorder and a 28-year-old who pushed a teenager from his motorcycle. Prosecutors said 21 people were sent to prison in the first few days of prosecutions. Most were convicted of spearheading and encouraging widespread disorder and for violent offenses against the police.
Victoria Cook of the Crown Prosecution Service said the sentences would “send a chilling message” to demonstrators.
