Police Injured in Plymouth Amid Week-Long Unrest Following Southport Stabbings
Police officers have sustained injuries during "sustained violence" in Plymouth, as disorder continues for the seventh consecutive day following the Southport stabbings. More than 370 arrests have been made so far, with tensions escalating in various parts of the UK.
Devon and Cornwall Police reported that six arrests were made in Plymouth on Monday after "several officers" suffered minor injuries. Additionally, two members of the public were taken to the hospital. The violence erupted after bricks and fireworks were launched towards officers attempting to keep rival demonstrations apart in the Devon port city.
In Southport, hundreds attended a peaceful vigil a week after the tragic murders of Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar. Children blew bubbles and others left flowers and heart-shaped balloons on Monday evening in remembrance of the victims of the stabbing attack at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club. Merseyside Police confirmed that one child involved in the incident remains in hospital, while all other patients have been discharged.
In Plymouth, a police van was damaged on Monday evening as masked anti-immigration protesters launched missiles at a counter-demonstration where people held signs saying "No Place for Hate" and "Say No to Nazis." As they ran widely, wielding knives, swords and machetes.
There we go @Keir_Starmer
— Queen Bob (@KingBobIIV) August 6, 2024
Riot gear in Plymouth, nothing in Birmingham https://t.co/dZiuh53h3q
A Devon and Cornwall Police officer reported that "large masonry" had been thrown at officers during the unrest.
Speaking at the scene, Inspector Ryan North Moore told Sky News, "This is not a protest any more. In my opinion, this is violence. This is sustained violence." He described the policing effort as "off the scale," adding, "With the resources we’ve got, it’s difficult."
Acting Chief Constable Jim Colwell praised officers for their "very brave, robust policing" in response to "abhorrent, mindless criminal behaviour." Around 150 officers were deployed in the city centre, with arrests made for various public order offences and assaults.
Meanwhile, the Police Service of Northern Ireland reported "ongoing disorder" in the Donegall Road area of south Belfast, where riot officers faced stones and petrol bombs. Sky News also reported that one of its vans was attacked in Birmingham by a "knife-wielding man."
In Birmingham, a large gathering of Muslim men stated they were preparing to "defend" the street from a rumoured far-right protest. West Midlands Police (WMP) confirmed they were investigating reports of a man with an offensive weapon and other incidents, pledging to "work hard to identify and arrest those responsible."
Despite social media rumours, no far-right protest occurred, and no arrests were made. However, there were reports of an assault, criminal damage to a pub on Stoney Lane, and damage to vehicles in various locations.
Chief Superintendent Richard North said, "Fortunately, rumours of significant protest activity in the city didn’t materialise. There were several sporadic incidents of criminality during the evening, and we will work hard to arrest those responsible."
Safeguarding minister and Birmingham Yardley MP Jess Phillips emphasized that perpetrators of violence "will face the consequences no matter who they are."
On Monday, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced a "standing army" of specialist police officers to crack down on rioting and called for perpetrators to be named and shamed. An emergency Cobra meeting was convened following weekend riots, including attacks on hotels housing asylum seekers.
The Prime Minister's so-called standing army is an expansion of the existing mutual aid scheme, allowing officers to be deployed nationwide as needed. Despite calls for Parliament to be recalled due to the unrest, Sir Keir focused on ensuring police can perform their duties. MPs from across the political spectrum demanded Parliament return from its summer recess.
Downing Street also criticised X owner Elon Musk for claiming that "civil war is inevitable" in the UK, suggesting that online misinformation may be amplified by foreign state actors, contributing to the disorder on Britain's streets.