Prime Minister to Chair Cobra Meeting as Crackdown on Rioters Continues
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is set to chair another Cobra meeting with law enforcement officials on Thursday afternoon to review the previous night's events and strategize for the days ahead. This marks the third such high-level meeting in the past week as the government responds to recent unrest across the country.
Despite fears of further violence on Wednesday evening, the anticipated riots largely failed to materialize. The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of maintaining vigilance, stating, "It’s important that we don’t let up," following a visit to a mosque in Solihull.
Jail sentences have already been handed down to some rioters, with others facing charges related to disorder in various towns and cities. Shops across the country had been boarded up in anticipation of over 100 events, including 30 counter-demonstrations, that police expected to take place on Wednesday night.
Reflecting on the relatively peaceful outcome, Sir Keir attributed the lack of further violence to the increased police presence and the swift sentencing of those involved in previous disturbances. "We were able to demonstrate the criminal justice system working speedily," he said, noting that some individuals had received sentences of up to three years within days of their involvement in the riots. "That sent a very powerful message," he added.
In the West Midlands, the Prime Minister also participated in a roundtable discussion with Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker, and members of the Muslim community. He also met with police officers who had been on the front lines of recent disorder.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley praised the combined efforts of law enforcement and community leaders in preventing further violence. He noted that the "show of force from the police" and the "show of unity from communities" were key factors in defusing the situation.
Sir Mark also revealed that the Met had conducted "dawn raids" on Thursday morning, targeting those involved in last week's protests and violence in Whitehall. He described the suspects as "criminal thugs," with many having prior convictions for offenses such as criminal damage, violence, and weapons possession.
Courts across the country, including in Hull, Stratford, Westminster, Leeds, Sheffield, and Northampton, have continued to see individuals charged with offenses related to the recent riots.