The recent riots following the tragic Southport attack have prompted a significant response from law enforcement and government officials. The widespread unrest, which spread across the country, has led to the announcement of new measures to combat violent disorder.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has unveiled plans for a new “national capability” across police forces to tackle violent disorder more effectively. This initiative comes in response to the mobile nature of the rioters, who have been moving from community to community, causing disruption and damage.
The new police unit will focus on enhancing cooperation between different police forces, allowing for a more coordinated response to large-scale disturbances. Key features of this new capability include:
- Shared intelligence: Improved information sharing between police forces to track and anticipate riot movements.
- Expanded use of facial recognition technology: Wider deployment of this technology to identify and apprehend key instigators.
- Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs): Increased use of these orders to restrict the movement of offenders, similar to measures used against football hooligans.
Starmer condemned the riots as the “actions of a tiny, mindless minority” and specifically called out “far-right hatred” as a driving force behind some of the unrest. He emphasised that the violent disorder, which was “clearly whipped up online,” should be treated as crime rather than protest.
The Prime Minister also addressed the role of social media in spreading disinformation, which contributed to the escalation of violence. He stressed the need for discussions with social media companies about striking the “right balance” and warned that these platforms “carry great responsibility”.
The new police unit and the associated measures represent a significant shift in how the UK plans to handle large-scale public disorder. It reflects the growing concern over the mobility and organisation of rioters, as well as the role of online platforms in fuelling unrest.
What are your thoughts on these new measures? Do you think they will be effective in preventing future riots?