Today's Edition
LONDON (AFP)
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday vowed "swift criminal sanctions" against far-right riots in several cities that have seen widespread damage and nearly 400 arrests.
Starmer convened ministers and police chiefs to discuss the unrest that broke out last Tuesday in Southport, northwest England, following a stabbing spree in which three children were killed.
Mobs threw bricks and flares, attacked police, burnt and looted shops, smashed the windows of cars and homes and targeted at least two hotels housing asylum-seekers in a number of cities at the weekend.
The government will "ramp up criminal justice" to ensure that "sanctions are swift", Starmer told the media after Monday's meeting.
He said a "standing army" of specially-trained police was ready to be deployed to support local forces where any further riots break out.
"My focus is on making sure that we stop this disorder," he added.
The National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) said 378 people had so far been arrested, and that others would be "brought to justice".
"I want to reassure the public that a united and robust policing response is in place across the country, and we are doing all we can to tackle this disorder," Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, NPCC chair, added.
