British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated today, Monday, that "the law will be enforced vigorously against protesters who have attacked Muslim targets in the United Kingdom," as he seeks to quell ongoing anti-immigration riots that have persisted for days. Violent protests erupted in cities and towns across Britain following the stabbing deaths of three girls at a children's dance party in Southport, northwest England, last week. Anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim groups exploited this incident after misleading information spread online and was amplified by prominent far-right figures, inciting chaos in various communities.
Starmer commented on Monday following an emergency meeting with police and prison chiefs: "Whatever the obvious motivation, this is not a protest but sheer violence, and we will not tolerate attacks on mosques or our Muslim communities." He added, "The law will be enforced vigorously against all who participated in these acts."
The protests, largely involving a few hundred individuals, saw demonstrators throwing stones at police, looting stores, and attacking mosques and businesses owned by Asians. Several vehicles were set on fire. Unverified video footage reportedly showed ethnic minorities being assaulted.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper promised to hold rioters accountable, stating that the government would support imposing penalties ranging from prison sentences to travel bans. The last time violent protests erupted across Britain was in 2011 when thousands took to the streets after a police shooting that killed a Black man in London.
