As far-right groups continue to riot across the UK following the tragic stabbing of three young girls at a camp in Southport, the Home Office has introduced a new “rapid response” security plan for mosques.
The new scheme allows police, local authorities, and mosques to request quick deployment of security to protect communities and ensure a swift return to worship. This measure comes as mosques are facing increased threats, particularly after an attack on a mosque in Southport and warnings about far-right rallies in West London. Police are now guarding Muslim communities in response.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper stressed that the government will not tolerate criminal behavior, extremism, or racist attacks, which go against the nation’s values. Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the unrest as “far-right thuggery” and noted that Muslim communities have been unjustly targeted.
Faith leaders from various religious communities in Merseyside condemned the exploitation of the Southport tragedy to spread division and hate. Their joint statement highlighted that such division undermines community relationships and there is no place for hate in society.
The UK is facing its worst rioting in 13 years, with clashes between protesters and police in cities including Liverpool, Manchester, Bristol, Blackpool, Hull, and Belfast. Rioters have thrown bricks, bottles, and flares at police, injured officers, looted, and set fires. Policing Minister Diana Johnson warned that the rioting would not be tolerated and that there would be consequences for the disorder.
In Rotherham, South Yorkshire, anti-immigration protesters smashed windows at a hotel housing asylum seekers. This violence is the worst England has seen since the 2011 riots, which followed the police killing of a man in north London.
The government has assured that police have all necessary resources to handle the disorder, with thousands of extra officers deployed.
The unrest began five days ago after a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance party in Southport. The violence was fueled by false social media rumors suggesting that the suspect, Axel Rudakubana, a 17-year-old British-born individual, was a Muslim immigrant.
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