British police are preparing for another day of violence, fearing that far-right groups plan to target up to 30 locations across the UK on Wednesday following a week of riots and unrest.
Authorities are deploying about 6,000 specially trained officers to address disorder nationwide, and London’s Metropolitan Police Service has vowed to do “everything in our power” to protect the capital.
“We are aware of the events planned by hateful and divisive groups across the capital,” said Deputy Assistant Commissioner Andy Valentine of the Met on Tuesday. “Their intention to cause disruption and division is clear … We will not tolerate this on our streets.”
For the past week, UK cities and towns have been plagued by violence as angry mobs, incited by far-right extremists, have clashed with police and counterdemonstrators.
The unrest was sparked by misinformation about the identity of the suspect in a stabbing rampage that killed three young girls in Southport. The suspect was falsely identified as an immigrant and a Muslim.
Internet chat groups have circulated a list of immigration law firms and advice agencies as potential targets for gatherings on Wednesday, encouraging attendees to “mask up.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer held a second consecutive COBRA emergency response committee meeting on Tuesday to coordinate the crisis response, which he has called “far-right thuggery.”
Police have made over 400 arrests nationwide, and the government has vowed to prosecute and imprison those responsible for the disorder.
