Official government announcements, news reports

Keir Starmer Announces New Policing Unit After Southport Riots Following Stabbing of Three Girls by Far-Right

Aug 1, 2024, 03:07 PM

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced a new national policing unit to address violent disorder following riots in Southport. The unrest erupted after a mass stabbing at a children's event, which resulted in the deaths of three young girls. The violence, attributed to far-right protesters, included attacks on police officers, setting vehicles on fire, throwing bricks, targeting mosques, and vandalizing the Winston Churchill statue with a Nazi salute. The disorder also spread to Hartlepool and London. Starmer condemned the rioters, labeling them as 'thugs' and 'a tiny, mindless minority.' He emphasized that those responsible would face the 'full force of the law.' The new unit will enhance rapid police response, expand facial recognition technology, and improve intelligence sharing. Starmer also announced measures similar to those used against football hooligans to prevent the movement of these violent groups. He held an emergency press conference and met with police chiefs to discuss the situation and ensure public safety.