In response to days of violent disorder and unrest in England and Northern Ireland, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has declared that the police will remain on “high alert” heading into the weekend. Despite calming anti-racism protests on Wednesday halting far-right violence in England, Starmer emphasized the need for vigilance in maintaining community safety and security.
Starmer met with senior police leaders to discuss the police’s response to public disorder, focusing on the swift processing of rioters in courts as a deterrence to future unrest. With the start of the football season complicating policing efforts, the prime minister emphasized the importance of a sole focus on ensuring community safety.
Additionally, Starmer warned users of social media that it is not a “law-free zone” and reminded individuals of the consequences of breaking the law online.
Notably, due to a new television deal with Sky Sports, changes in scheduling have lengthened the amount of time during the day that police can expect supporters to be traveling, potentially affecting policing efforts.
In a related development, jailed rioters could be released early due to a scheme to tackle prison overcrowding, as announced by the Ministry of Justice. This move comes in response to a lack of jail space, with changes in the law allowing for early release of some criminals serving determinate sentences.
Overall, the emphasis remains on maintaining high alert, public safety, and enforcing the law to ensure order and security in communities during a challenging weekend.
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