UK riots latest: Police prepare for 'busiest' day of far-right disorder so far amid fears more than a HUNDRED 'protests' could take place – as Southport thug Derek Drummond is jailed for THREE years for mosque attack

Huge numbers of people have taken to the streets for a counter protest in Bristol ahead of a second anti-immigration rally that is expected to take place this evening.

It comes after disorder broke out in Bristol city centre on Saturday evening as around 200 anti-immigration protesters clashed with counter-protesters and police.

Staffordshire Police has made three more arrests as part of its investigation into the violent disorder that took place in Tamworth on Sunday.

A 28-year-old and a 43-year-old, both of Tamworth, have both arrested on suspicion of violent disorder, while a 37-year-old man, from Tamworth, has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.

All three remain in custody.

Humberside Police said 35 people had now been arrested over disorder in the force area on Saturday.

Assistant Chief Constable Thom McLoughlin (above) pledged they would take action against everyone involved.

We have now arrested 35 people in connection with this criminality; some of whom have already appeared before the courts facing charges.

Like the majority across the country, I am disgusted and disappointed at the racial hatred seen last weekend. I know some are angry and may feel the need to protest against the violence we saw.

However, I now call for calm to be restored and normality to resume whilst my officers continue to work bravely in very challenging circumstances to keep our streets safe and bring those responsible to justice.

Our investigation teams are working tirelessly at looking into all criminal activity, whether committed in person or incited online. Our work to review the CCTV and video footage obtained continues in order to identify the remaining individuals involved.

This momentum will not stop, we will not relent and we are prepared to keep going until every person is in custody.

Police have authorised the use of stop and search powers across parts of Harrow and Hillingdon in west London until 2am tomorrow.

A section 60 allows officers to stop and search people without reasonable grounds and also order people to remove any face coverings that may be used to disguise their identity.

A Derbyshire woman has avoided jail after being convicted of racially or religiously aggravated harassment, assaulting an emergency worker and stirring up hatred during disorder in Nottingham at the weekend.

The Crown Prosecution Service said 42-year-old Victoria Jayne Gray was detained after pushing an police officer, shouting a series of offensive racist and homophobic comments, and spitting on the officers arresting her.

At Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on Monday, she also faced a charge of possession of a weapon for taking a can of pepper spray to the scene in Long Row.

She pleaded guilty to all offences and was given a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months and ordered to attend 15 days of rehabilitation activity, the CPS said.

Cole Stewart, 18, was caught on CCTV ‘celebrating’ after he hurled bricks at officers during disorder in Darlington, County Durham, on Monday evening.

The camera captured him repeatedly throwing objects at the police near North Lodge Park, with one of them hitting an officer.

The teen was arrested, charged with violent disorder, and remanded in custody.

He appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court today where he pleaded guilty to the offence.

By Isaac Crowson in Canterbury

Businesses, residents and shoppers in Canterbury fear there will be ‘absolute carnage’ this evening.

The Sainsbury’s in the city centre is shutting early.

There is a huge increase in police patrols in the area, including the Canterbury Mosque.

That is near a location which has been listed online as being a meeting point for a protest this evening.

Students have been advised to not congregate this evening, they told MailOnline.

One said: ‘We’ve been told to avoid the area at all costs.

‘There’s a fear there will be absolute carnage with these protests. It’s madness.’

Private security firms are also patrolling the area, including university campuses.

Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle has told elected representatives to ‘exercise caution’ amid fears immigration and asylum assistance offices could be among the targets.

MPs are thought to have been told ‘home working’ is one option among several to bolster their security and a Commons spokesperson has warned MPs’ safety ‘is fundamental to our democracy’.

According to sources, the letters – sent to all MPs – read: ‘The Parliamentary Security Department (PSD) have reached out to Members who have offices in close proximity to these planned demonstrations, to make them aware.

‘Other offices – particularly those with prominent and easily identifiable locations – may wish to consider their security protocols.’

Heroic businessman Jonathan Hayes was stabbed in the leg as he tried to disarm the Southport attacker after running into a Taylor Swift-themed dance workshop last Monday.

The 63-year-old was among those who tried to intervene as a knifeman launched a frenzied attack on a group of children enjoying a workshop at the beginning of the school holidays.

Speaking to Sky News earlier today he said he ‘would’ve liked to have done more’ but is ‘grateful’ to be alive.

Police officers have dispersed a group of residents chanting Allahu Akbar (God is Greatest) at a counter-protest in Walthamstow.

The group had gathered ahead of an anti-immigration protest called by far-right activists, outside the Waltham Forest Immigration Bureau offices in the London suburb.

The King is understood to be engaging privately in the issues generated by the outbreak of violence across the country.

Following the Southport stabbings Charles, at his request, has been briefed on a daily basis about the evolving national situation.

A British businesswoman accused of being the first person to post false information that the Southport stabbings suspect was an asylum seeker who had arrived in Britain by boat says she is ‘mortified’ by what happened.

Just hours after three girls were murdered at a Taylor Swift dance workshop last Monday, Bonnie Spofforth posted on X the wrong name of the boy accused of carrying out the attacks.

Before the victims had been identified, Mrs Spofforth, 55, wrote at 4.49pm: ‘Ali Al-Shakati was the suspect, he was an asylum seeker who came to the UK by boat last year and was on an MI6 watch list. If this is true, then all hell is about to break loose.’

The false information, including what is believed to be a fictitious name, spread rapidly around social media, sparking far-right anti-immigration riots across the country.

Read the full story here:

Waltham Forest Council is advising residents to avoid areas in and around Walthamstow central station.

Deputy leader Clyde Loakes said:

I know as we move towards this evening that many in Walthamstow and across Waltham Forest will be both fearful and angry at what might unfold on the streets and neighbourhoods we are proud to call home.

The council’s message is clear: anyone who is thinking of coming to Walthamstow town centre today or any time to incite or undertake any sort of violence, racism or hatred is not welcome here.

There is absolutely no justification whatsoever for the shameful actions we have seen elsewhere across the country. They will not be tolerated in our borough.

This is a place where people of different beliefs and backgrounds live and work together in harmony and peace, and we are proud to be part of such a brilliant, welcoming community. Whatever comes to pass this evening, we will remain united and together.

We want to assure everyone that our top priority is always to keep local people and their neighbourhoods safe.

With that in mind, we advise all residents to avoid the area in and around Walthamstow central station, including Selborne Road and Hoe Street from Queens Road to Church Hill.

In the event of any violence or disorder, this will make it easier for the police to take swift and immediate action against those who have caused harm or damage to our community.

A 17-year-old-boy from Walton has become the 16th person to be charged over disorder in Southport and Liverpool, Merseyside Police said.

The teenager, who cannot be named, has been charged with violent disorder and burglary in the city centre on Saturday.

He has been remanded and will appear at Merseyside Youth Court on Thursday morning.

Merseyside Police have released images of 14 people after incidents which followed the fatal stabbings of three girls at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club in Southport last week.

Violence broke out in Southport on Tuesday night and then in Liverpool city centre and Walton on Saturday.

Officers were injured and damage was caused to police vehicles and buildings, including a library which was set on fire.

Shops in Walthamstow have boarded up their windows due to risks of their safety and possible looting ahead a planned far-right protest in the northeast London area.

It follows similar scenes from Northampton where businesses have also boarded up today amid fears of unrest in the town later this evening.

Irish police will provide ‘full co-operation’ to investigations into anyone who took part in recent violent disorder in the UK, Ireland’s justice minister has said.

Helen McEntee (above) said she reaffirmed a shared commitment with the UK Government on a range of matters during a call with Home Secretary Yvette Cooper.

Ms McEntee said An Garda Siochana, Ireland’s police service, would fully co-operate with all investigations involving any people from Ireland who have participated in recent riots.

In a statement, she said:

We discussed the ongoing disturbances across the United Kingdom over the last week.

Assaulting police officers, burning buildings and attacking public amenities cannot be tolerated in a democratic society.

We agreed on the importance of countering racism, supporting our migrant communities, and bringing to justice the perpetrators of such terrible violence.

I noted the strong, ongoing co-operation between the gardai and UK police services and assured the Home Secretary of the full co-operation of gardai, if needed, on investigations involving any people from this jurisdiction who have participated in acts of violent disorder.

The Director of Public Prosecutions has continued to warn people of their conduct on social media ahead of dozens of riots that are planned across the UK this evening.

We’ve now charged two offences of inciting racial hatred based on online communications.

I think people need to be really aware that if they retweet or share those communications, they are potentially committing criminal offences themselves, the offences are around publication of material.

If you retweet something, you are republishing it. We have dedicated police officers whose sole task is to scour the internet, scour social media. This is what they’re focusing on.

So, if you retweet or you reshare those communications, you will be picked up and you may expect a visit from the police, so please don’t do it.

Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Parkinson has gone on to warn anyone to ‘be mindful’ of what they are posting online.

Anyone stirring up hateful or threatening activity on social media is potentially contributing to the violent disorder on our streets.

You may be committing a crime if you repost, repeat or amplify a message which is false, threatening, or stirs up racial/religious hatred.

Be mindful of what you are saying and sharing online, as you could face prosecution.

Police in Walthamstow are already on high alert, with officers positioned in both the centre and at the train station.

A large group of men were seen shouting outside a Travelodge before being met with at least 30 officers.

A young boy also appeared to have been stopped by officers at the train station. A group of people surrounded the police van and were seen shouting at officers.

Earlier we brought you the news that one case of alleged terrorism is ‘actively under consideration’ by the Crown Prosecution Service.

The Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Parkinson (above) has now confirmed no terrorism charges had yet been brought in connection with violence across the country as police are steeled for as many as 100 events of disorder on Wednesday.

Another 20 people were charged overnight, the Crown Prosecution Service said, bringing the total to more than 140, as police chiefs continued to warn rioters they could ‘expect a knock at the door’.

The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) said it expected that number to rise ‘significantly’ in the coming days, as officers looked to make further arrests.

Mr Parkinson said extradition would ‘of course’ be considered in relation to people posting online about inciting UK riots while being out of the country.

Addressing what may be considered a terrorism offence, Mr Parkinson said:

We’ve all read or seen on the news reports of far right groups publishing information about named individuals or immigration law firms, for instance, encouraging activity affecting those individuals.

The fact that it’s organised groups that might be motivated by ideological reasons, the fact that they’re promoting potentially very serious offences – that’s the sort of instance where we might want to consider terrorism charges.

Another MP has also hit out at the comments made by former minister Robert Jenrick after he suggested people who say ‘Allahu Akbar’ should be ‘immediately arrested’.

Mel Stride (above) accused his fellow Tory leadership candidate of being ‘insensitive’ with his comments.

The former work and pensions secretary Mr Stride said:

I think the suggestion of wholesale criminalisation of the words Allahu Akbar is unwise and insensitive.

Any threat in the use of these words can only ever be implied in the very rarest of circumstances. Context clearly matters hugely here.

Angela Rayner also today accused Robert Jenrick of ‘stirring up some of the problems’ in recent days, after he suggested people who say ‘Allahu Akbar’ should be ‘immediately arrested’.

Asked about the Tory former minister’s comments on Sky News, the Deputy Prime Minister replied:

People like Robert Jenrick have been stirring up some of the problems that we’ve seen in our communities.

Actually, what we want to see is communities coming together, and the vast majority of the public want to see that.

The Prime Minister is very clear that his number-one priority is to keep people safe and to keep our streets safe, and that’s why we’ve deployed the police to deal with the minority of people who think it’s acceptable to throw missiles at police, to attack police and attack hotels and attack businesses that are just trying to go about their daily lives.

The public here have been afraid and scared by those minorities who have been shouting racist abuse, shouting abuse and hurling missiles at police.

There’s no excuse for that and the police will do their exceptional job that they’ve been doing over the last couple of days to protect the public.

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner (above) has said ‘it’s not a legitimate complaint to throw bricks at police’ as she vowed those involved with riots ‘will be met with the law’.

Over 140 people have been charged so far and it’s right that our courts deal with that, and we’ve said that we will support the courts and will support the police in carrying out their duties.

But people need to understand that if you throw missiles, if you attack people, if you incite hatred and violence, whether that’s online, or whether you’re offline, you will be met with the law because it is unlawful.

We end up in a situation we have here where people’s lives were at risk and police officers’ lives were put at risk by a small minority of criminality and thuggish behaviour.

Asked what further tools were at the Government’s disposal for dealing with riots, Ms Rayner said:

The Prime Minister has set out how we’re deploying police and how we’re making sure that we’re working with social media companies on the online situation as well, and working with communities, but what has been heartening is to see the community response.

The vast majority of the British people see this for what it is, that it is criminality, it is thuggish behaviour. It’s not a legitimate complaint to throw bricks at police and to try and set fire to public buildings, that’s not acceptable.

Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney (above, second left) has said he has ‘deep concern’ about escalating violence across the UK.

Following a meeting with faith leaders in Scotland, Mr Swinney said:

I’m very concerned – as many people are in our community – about the violence that has erupted in other parts of the United Kingdom.

However, the First Minister added that police officers in Scotland were equipped to deal with any unrest north of the border.

Officers were assessing risks in Scotland amid concerns of demonstrations across the country.

We can’t demonstrate at this stage if those risks will materialise, but what we can do is prepare for such risks and I am confident that Police Scotland is working with absolute focus on making sure that should any risks of that materialise, we are able to put in place the measures to provide assurance and safety for the communities in Scotland who have a right to feel safe in our society today.

One case of alleged terrorism is “actively under consideration” following widespread disorder across the country, the Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Parkinson has said.

Sir Keir Starmer said justice is being served with some rioters already behind bars as the Prime Minister sent a warning to those causing violent disorder on streets across the UK.

A Downing Street spokesperson said:

The Prime Minister’s message to anybody causing violent disorder on our streets is clear – you will feel the full force of the law – and today, we are already seeing justice being served.

Within a matter of days, some of the criminals involved in these riots have been put behind bars.

This is just the start, with over 400 arrests, 120 charged and more people being hauled in front of the courts every day, our criminal justice system is showing violent thuggery has no place on our streets.

A man put his middle finger up at a judge after being denied bail for alleged racially aggravated assault and public order offences.

Matthew Wilson, 31, of Parrock Street, Rossendale, repeatedly punched the glass of the dock and shouted obscenities at Manchester Magistrates’ Court after he pleaded not guilty on Wednesday.

Prosecutor Laura Peers alleged Wilson and Alex Fraser, 20, made racist comments and ‘randomly’ attacked an Asian man in Manchester city centre on Monday, and had boasted of their involvement in wider disorder.

After being denied bail, Wilson said:

I’ve had nothing to do with the riots.

Fraser, of Leicester Road, Salford, also pleaded not guilty to racially aggravated assault and denied taking part in any wider disorder.

Fraser and Wilson were both remanded into custody and will appear at Manchester Crown Court on September 11.

After being denied bail, Fraser, who was visibly upset as he left court, said:

I wasn’t even planning on being in town.

Police are preparing for more than 100 planned protests and 30 further counter-demonstrations today as far-Right thugs use social media and encrypted messaging apps to plan violence across the UK.

Nearly 6,000 police officers have been drafted in after a list of 39 locations where the yobs could wreak havoc – including immigration centres, refugee shelters and lawyers’ homes – emerged late last night.

Leaked messages from what appear to be far-Right Telegram channels show those involved threatening the lives of anti-racism campaigners, using sick slurs and exchanging tips on how to ‘hood up’ as they prepare for fresh demonstrations today.

Gatherings are now anticipated in 41 of the 43 police force areas in England and Wales. A police source said: ‘Today is probably going to be the busiest day of the week, into the evening. Tonight, we think it’s looking like a credible picture. We are preparing for activity across 41 forces.’

Resources are being shared around the country as forces respond to intelligence, with the Metropolitan Police understood to be sending some officers to Manchester while others in the south east are also travelling to support colleagues in north east and north west forces.

According to police sources, immigration centres and lawyers’ offices are anticipated to be the main focus for the gatherings but officers could also be deployed to hotels housing asylum seekers if intelligence establishes they face credible threats.

More than 1,300 specialist public order officers can be deployed across the capital to respond to unrest on Wednesday, the Metropolitan Police said.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Andy Valentine said the team, which includes mounted units, dog handlers, intelligence experts and evidence gatherers, can identify offenders even if they are masked.

He also urged parents to check on the whereabouts of their children so as they avoid getting ‘caught up in potentially violent and criminal behaviour’.

We have more than 1,300 public order officers ready to deploy across London today in addition to thousands already working in our communities. We will not tolerate any disorder and will make arrests.

We will be using retrospective facial recognition to help officers identify those behind criminal disorder. This technology can be used even when offenders are wearing masks.

Our thanks goes to Londoners who condemn the hateful and divisive behaviour which is fuelling significant concern among our communities.

It is our privilege to be part of a city pulling together at an uncertain time. You will see more officers on patrol. If you are concerned, or need help, speak to them. They are there to help.

Our live coverage has attracted dozens of comments from readers today with many questioning how police forces are able to mobilise 6,000 riot officers amid fears of further disorder.

Here is a snapshot from our readers on the UK riots:

When the Pensioners eventually protest about cuts to winter fuel payment, having to pay National Insurance and probably cuts to inheritance tax thresholds, I wonder if they will be branded FAR-RIGHT?

Strange how the government can find money for 6,000 police but couldn’t find it for the heating allowance. They’re not far right and it’s not about race and it’s not two tier policing it’s two tier everything.

I agree with these protests. I think they would be peaceful if the police were not so heavy-handed. I want the government to put a stop to mass migration.

Starmer should be listening and paying attention to the very real concerns people have with the problems of rising immigration and lack of integration and acceptance of our laws which he has no plans to tackle. Violence and thuggery isn’t the solution to this growing concern but neither are Labour who refuse to listen and instead of engaging in debate simply pull out the lazy “far right” card to dissuade the peaceful majority who are not rioting from speaking out.

Still waiting to know what charges the guy that assaulted 3 police officers at Manchester airport will face.

Cumbria Constabulary has put in place a dispersal order for Carlisle city centre amid reports of potential planned disorder later this evening.

Extra patrols will be out in force throughout the afternoon with officers given enhanced stop and search powers and the authority to remove face coverings and items that may be used to commit anti-social behaviour

Chief Superintendent Carl Patrick said:

The dispersal order and the powers which have been authorised are in place to protect our communities from those who may engage in violent disorder.

We support and facilitate the right to peaceful protest however violent disorder will not be tolerated.

Public safety is our number one priority, and our officers are here to provide help, advice and reassurance.

Our advice to anyone considering engaging in disorder is not to attend. Anyone involved in criminality will be dealt with robustly.

Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn has said he is ‘shocked and angry’ that businesses in the region had been targeted during violence following anti-immigration protests.

Mr Benn said he has met some of the business owners who have been attacked and PSNI officers who have been dealing with the violent disorder.

At a press conference at a community centre in Belfast, held with Northern Ireland Office minister Fleur Anderson, he said it was ‘really important’ that people who are ‘shocked and angered and disgusted by what is happening speak up’.

People are entitled to protest and people are entitled to their political views, but there is no justification whatsoever for engaging in this kind of violence that is targeting particular communities.

Members of these communities, some of whom I’ve met today, are frightened. People are afraid to go out of their own houses.

Humza Yousaf has revealed Britain’s riots crisis is making him unsure if his family should remain in the UK.

The former SNP leader, who was Scotland’s first Muslim first minster, described the scenes of violence across towns and cities as ‘horrendous’.

He said he had worried ‘for some time’ about rising Islamophobia in Britain and claimed the ‘language of the far-right’ had ‘become institutionalised in our politics’.

Mr Yousaf replaced Nicola Sturgeon as Scotland’s first minister in March last year, but quit in May after little more than a year in the job.

He told The News Agents podcast: ‘You cut me open, I’m as about as Scottish as you come.

‘But the truth of the matter is, I don’t know whether the future for me and my wife and my three children is going to be here in Scotland or the United Kingdom.’

Actor Will Mellor has revealed his daughter is too afraid to leave the house amid ongoing violence and disorder in England as he urged people to come together.

Mellor, who recently played subpostmaster Lee Castleton in ITV drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office, said he was ‘sick’ of waking up to endless negativity including posts from ‘faceless’ social media accounts.

He said he felt compelled to speak out after his daughter told him she was afraid to leave the house.

If you’re just joining us this afternoon, the headline news is that police are preparing to respond to 100 far-right gatherings and 30 counter protests in what could be the busiest day of disorder for officers so far.

The first prison sentences have also been handed down to rioters after Sir Keir Starmer vowed to ramp up justice with one thug jailed for three years after he attacked a police officer outside a mosque in Southport

Here’s everything you need to know:

• Police sources say officers are preparing to respond to more than 100 gatherings and 30 counter-protests as businesses board up their premises and workers told to leave offices and work from home
• Three men have been jailed for rioting on Merseyside including 58-year-old Derek Drummond who punched a police officer in Southport when violence broke out following a vigil for three murdered girls
• Inquests have opened into the deaths of Bebe King, six, Alice Aguiar, nine, and Elsie Stancombe, seven whose killings in a fatal knife attack preceded a week of violence and disorder on Britain’s streets
• Thousands of police officers are on standby tonight to protect immigration lawyers, refugee shelters and charities after they appeared on a ‘hitlist’ of far-right targets.
• Britain’s most senior police chief Sir Mark Rowley dismissed claims of two-tier policing as ‘complete nonsense’ but declined to criticise specific individuals following claims by X owner Elon Musk

We will continue to bring you updates and reaction from throughout the afternoon.

The Prime Minister has highlighted prison sentences handed down to three men for riots in Merseyside as examples of ‘swift action’ the Government is taking to those causing violent disorder.

Following jail terms for Derek Drummond, Declan Geiran and Liam Riley, Sir Keir Starmer tweeted: ‘This is the swift action we’re taking. If you provoke violent disorder on our streets or online, you will face the full force of the law.’

Sir Keir warned those caught being involved in riots across England and Northern Ireland can expect to be rapidly processed through the courts.

Sheffield United Football Club has announced its Bramall Lane stadium will shut this afternoon in anticipation of anti-social behaviour across the city.

The club, which was relegated from the Premier League last season, has urged supporters to remain united amid ongoing disorder across the country.

Greater Manchester Police has released a message to communities across the region amid reports of possible further disorder taking place today

The force said its advice to residents is to ‘remain calm and to try to go about your every-day life’.

GMP continues to monitor the intelligence to ensure we can respond effectively to any incidents of disorder. And, if we believe there needs to be specific information about anything emerging we will tell people and offer advice.

We are heavily resourced, and we have specialist officers and staff who are working around the clock to tackle these issues and ensure our communities are supported.

We are speaking to community leaders and elected representatives regularly to make sure they are appraised of all planned protests known to GMP.

People living safely and peacefully, do not deserve to be frightened: we are here to protect you, and we will use all resources and capabilities to do so.

Our message is clear: there is no place for hate in Greater Manchester. If you come here to willingly participate in disorder and crime, we will be at your door, ensuring you answer for your crimes.

This article is available only to Mail + subscribers

Let’s start with the facts. Keir Starmer is right.

The overwhelming majority of the violence and disorder we have seen on Britain’s streets is being perpetrated, organised and provoked by the Far-Right.

Yesterday I spoke to politicians from both the present and previous government. They had been in contact with senior police officers currently in the front line of dealing with the disturbances. And they were in agreement.

‘The thing that has alarmed the police is the scale of coordination over the disorder,’ a Home Office minister told me. ‘These aren’t just spontaneous outbreaks of violence. It’s right-wing extremists, and it’s very highly organised.’

‘What’s caught everyone by surprise is the speed with which it’s being spread on social media,’ a Conservative former minister revealed, “especially the disinformation”.

“The police are really alarmed by it. It’s unprecedented in this country.”

An office worker in the City of London said he and his colleagues have been told to leave their office near Liverpool Street due to ‘planned riots’ in the area.

He said that employees have been advised to work from home for the remainder of the week and not to attend the London office.

Police believe most of the disorder is being carried out by ‘low-level criminals’ using the unrest as an excuse to commit crime, the source has added.

It’s a nuanced picture. There is a level of co-ordination, there is a level of planning.

It’s not particularly sophisticated, there’s planning at a local level. There’s not necessarily planning by groups nationally or regionally.

But a lot of what we’re seeing is locals reacting to what they’re seeing on social media, what they’re seeing outside in their streets and just joining in.

Quite a lot of forces have reported that it’s not actually right wing or left wing, sometimes a lot of it is actually just low-level criminals who they already know about joining the trouble, using it as an excuse to commit violence and looting.

Police are understood to be preparing to respond to more than 100 planned protests and potentially around 30 more counter protests on Wednesday, with gatherings anticipated in 41 of the 43 police force areas in England and Wales.

A police source told the PA News Agency:

Today is probably going to be the busiest day of the week, into the evening.

Tonight, we think it’s looking like a credible picture. We are preparing for activity across 41 forces.

Resources are being shared around the country as forces respond to intelligence, with the Metropolitan Police understood to be sending some officers to Manchester while others in the south east are also travelling to support colleagues in north east and north west forces.

According to police sources, immigration centres and lawyers’ offices are anticipated to be the main focus for the gatherings but officers could also be deployed to hotels housing asylum seekers if intelligence establishes they face credible threats.

Businesses in Northampton have boarded up today amid fears of unrest in town later today.

It follows cases across other areas of the country with shops and offices deciding to remain shut today amid reports of more than 30 far-right gatherings.

At Manchester Magistrates Court, a man has pleaded guilty to inciting racial hatred by using racist language on a live stream he broadcasted to “millions of people” from outside a hotel in Stockport thought to contain asylum seekers.

Aaron Johnson, 32, of Criterion Street, North Reddish, admitted distributing images intended to stir up racial hatred outside the hotel on Monday.

Prosecutor Laura Peers said:

Members of staff became aware of the defendant live streaming from his mobile phone onto YouTube.

Ms Peers said Johnson “became aggressive to members of staff” at the hotel, adding that he told them ‘he would smash their face in’. The prosecutor said Johnson, who was arrested outside the hotel, had ‘exposed occupants of the hotel to a real danger’.

She said the live stream had been ‘viewed by millions of people’, adding ‘within the stream he repeatedly refers to migrants in a derogatory manner’ and used racist language.

Johnson was remanded into custody and will be sentenced at Minshull Street Crown Court on August 21.

We’ve now received reaction from the Crown Prosecution Service after three men were jailed following Merseyside riots in Liverpool and Southport.

Derek Drummond, 58, was jailed for three years while Declan Geiran, 29, and Liam Riley, 40, were sentenced to 30 months and 20 months respectively.

Speaking outside Liverpool Crown Court, Sarah Hammond, chief crown prosecutor for CPS Mersey-Cheshire, said:

Today’s prison sentences show that the law is catching up with those who have brought violence to our local communities.

The disturbing images we have seen across the country, manipulated by agitators both in-person and online, while local families still grieve the loss of loved ones, is an unforgivable and selfish act that each and every person sentenced today will have to live with.

The three men sentenced today are the tip of the iceberg, and just the start of what will be a very painful process for many who foolishly chose to involve themselves in violent unrest. Many of those involved will be sent to prison for a long time.

Riley, Drummond and Geiran mistakenly thought they would escape justice. They now face an extended period of time behind bars, and their criminal convictions will stay with them forever.

by Matthew Lodge and Eirian Prosser

A thug who punched a police officer in the face during a riot outside a mosque in Southport has been jailed for three years.

Derek Drummond, from Pool Street in the town, screamed ‘s***houses’ at officers as they tried to put on their riot gear before attacking PC Thomas Ball during the disorder on July 30.

The 58-year-old was jailed for three years this morning at Liverpool Crown Court after admitting to violent disorder and assaulting an emergency worker.

It comes as dozens more protesters are hauled before the court today as the recriminations continue against those alleged to have taken part in the last week’s disgraceful violence on the streets of Britain.

At the same court today two people were jailed for taking part in a riot in Liverpool on Saturday, August 3.

Two men have also been jailed following violent disorder in Liverpool on Saturday.

Declan Geiran, 29, of Kelso Road, Liverpool, has been sentenced to 30 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to violent disorder and sending a malicious communication last year.

While Liam Riley, 40, of Walton Road, Liverpool, has been sentenced to 20 months after he admitted violent disorder and racially aggravated behaviour.

Derek Drummond, 58, of Pool Street, Southport, has been sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court to three years in prison after he admitted violent disorder and assaulting an emergency worker in Southport on July 30.

The UK has been gripped by rioting in the past week, mostly targeted at buildings linked to immigration – but what are your compensation rights if your home or car gets damaged too?

Drivers and homeowners are not guaranteed payouts for any riot damage, as this can be a touchy subject for insurers.

Although most policies do cover rioting, some insurers specifically state that they will not pay claims for any harm coming from riots.

Our This is Money team have put together a guide on everything you need to know about compensation for riot damage to vehicles and properties.

Police Scotland has urged the public to avoid speculation and sharing inaccurate information following reports of a far-right gathering in Glasgow today.

The force’s Greater Glasgow branch said there is no intelligence to suggest it is going ahead.

Met Police chief Sir Mark Rowley said ‘thousands of officers (are) on tonight’ to protect immigration law specialists being targeted by rioters.

He told broadcasters the targeting of immigration lawyers and services are ‘at the center of our planning for tonight’.

We have thousands of officers on tonight. We’ll protect those people. It is completely unacceptable, regardless of your political views, to intimidate any sector of lawful activity, and we will not let the immigration asylum system be intimidated.

We’ll throw the full force of the law at offenders, whether that’s charging people with assaults, violent disorder, riot. And if terrorism offenses are appropriate, I know the Director of Public Prosecutions has said he’s prepared to consider that.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has rejected accusations of two-tier policing as ‘complete nonsense’ and criticised those voicing the claims for putting officers at risk.

Responding to claims that far-right riots have been dealt with more harshly than other recent unrest, he told broadcasters:

It’s complete nonsense.

We have commentators from either end of the political spectrum who like to throw accusations of bias at the police because we stand in the middle, we operate independently under the law without fear or favour.

And if you’ve got crazy views over there, you don’t like it, and if you’ve got crazy views over there, you don’t like it. We will continue to do that.

Sir Mark said he was more concerned by ‘serious voices’ making the claims as it risked legitimising violence against officers but declined to name individuals when asked about X owner Elon Musk’s intervention.

On Monday, Sir Mark appeared to knock a Sky News journalist’s microphone to the ground when he was asked about two-tier policing outside the Cabinet Office in Whitehall following a Cobra meeting.

Communities minister Jim McMahon has insisted police have the resources to deal with far-right thugs, adding there is no need for counter-protests.

He told ITV’s Good Morning Britain:

There is no grounds at all for anybody in the country to go out there and believe that they have to self-defend either premises or a local community.

The police force have the resources they need to provide on-the-ground support, there is co-ordination taking place with local councils, as I said, and the local community groups as well.

The National Police Chiefs’ Council has now confirmed 428 arrests have been made and around 120 people charged with numbers expected to rise significantly.

The group, which represents senior police officers, said extra prosecutors are on hand to help forces ’round the clock’ with work continuing to free up space in prisons.

Essex Police Chief Constable BJ Harrington said:

Our message has been plain and simple from the beginning of this unrest – if you are causing violence on our streets you will face the full force of the law.

If you are thinking about joining in, please think twice. You have a choice. This disorder does not have to happen.

What we have witnessed this past week is plain criminality. It’s dividing and damaging our communities, injuring our officers and it needs to stop.

Forces continue to make arrests so be warned: if you have played a role, you can expect a knock at the door.

Good morning, if you’re just joining us we are providing live coverage of the UK riots with police braced for further violence amid fears of more disorder.

Almost 6,000 officers have been mobilised after a hitlist showed far-right thugs are set to target up to 39 immigration centres, refugee shelters and lawyers’ homes across the country.

So far we have yet to see any violence.

Here’s everything you need to know what has happened:

• Businesses have boarded up with shops and offices closed for the day in preparation for riots as police mobilise an extra 6,000 officers
• Police have urged the public to ignore the ‘hitlist’ of 39 addresses to be targeted by far-right as lawyers and charities confirm they will shut their premises
• Sadiq Khan has urged Londoners to check on friends and neighbours as riots had left many Muslim and minority ethnic communities ‘scared and fearful’
• The inquests into the deaths of three young girls who were killed in the Southport stabbings have been opened
• More people have been charged with violent disorder as Sir Keir Starmer vowed to ramp up sentencing for perpetrators

We will continue to bring you the latest developments and reaction throughout the day.

Four men have been charged following disorder in Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester city centre on Saturday, Greater Manchester Police said.

• Andrew Phillips, 27, of Stretford, is charged with violent disorder and assault
• Shaun Holt, 42, of Stockport, is also charged with violent disorder and assault
• Liam Ryan, 28, of Bradford, is charged with violent disorder
• David Green, 41, of Stalybridge, is also charged with violent disorder

They have all been remanded into custody to appear at Manchester Magistrates’ Court later on Wednesday.

We can now bring you more on the inquest openings of the three victims of the Southport knife attack…

The inquests into the deaths of three young girls who were killed in the Southport stabbings have been opened.

Bebe King, six, Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, died after a mass stabbing at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class at the Hart Space on Monday July 29.

This morning, nine days after the killings, senior coroner Julie Goulding formally opened and adjourned the inquests into their deaths at Bootle Town Hall in Merseyside.

Speaking in the courtroom, she said it would be ‘impossible to adequately articulate the devastating lifelong effects of the truly tragic events of Monday, July 29’.

Axel Rudakubana, 17, from Lancashire, is set to stand trial next year after being charged with three counts of murder, 10 counts of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article in a public place.

Over the last week family, friends and members of the local community have paid their respects to the victims of the attack.

An assistant chief constable has urged people to ignore a list of locations, which has been shared on social media as possible targets for gatherings, saying police will be waiting.

Andy Mariner, of Essex Police, said there is ‘disinformation on social media’ talking about activity in the county on Wednesday, adding:

Our message is clear – ignore it. If you’re planning on coming here intent on disorder, we will be waiting for you, and you will be arrested.

There is information going around on the internet highlighting specific locations around the country and some of those details of locations are just plain false, including here in Essex.

Here’s a snapshot of just some of the disorder that has taken place over the past week as police clash with the far-right across towns and cities.

The riots have also drawn counter-protesters as Muslim groups gathered in Birmingham following false reports of a far-right demonstration.

Inquests into the deaths of Southport stabbing victims Bebe King (centre), six, Alice Dasilva Aguiar (right), nine, and Elsie Dot Stancombe (left), seven, have been opened and adjourned at Bootle Town Hall.

Senior coroner Julie Goulding said it was ‘impossible to adequately articulate the devastating lifelong effects of the truly tragic events of Monday, July 29.

Tory leadership contender Robert Jenrick has branded rioters ‘morons’ and said debates about immigration and integration are ‘for another day’.

The former immigration minister told Sky News:

There is a separate debate to be had around integration and immigration in this country.

But I think that is for another day, because we mustn’t allow the legitimate concerns of millions of people on those issues to be tarred by the brush of these criminals, these thugs, these yobs, these morons, frankly, who are out on the streets, causing harm, hurting people, smashing up shops.

They’re very separate issues, and we shouldn’t see a link between the two.

A man has been charged with possessing an offensive weapon during a gathering in Birmingham after TV coverage showed someone apparently holding a sword.

Shehraz Sarwar from Birmingham was arrested and charged by West Midlands Police following the incident in Bordesley Green on Monday.

A number of counter-protesters gathered in the area after social media rumours of a far-right march being staged there.

The 46-year-old was remanded to appear before Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

With Britain braced for more riots and disorder today, let’s remind ourselves of how we got to this point.

Violent disorder and unrest has broken out in many towns and cities across England and Northern Ireland over the past week, starting in Southport in wake of a knife attack which saw three young girls fatally stabbed.

Disturbances have since spread to give Sir Keir Starmer the first test of his premiership as he battles to put a stop to the trouble brewing on the streets.

MailOnline has learned businesses across the country fearful of being caught in the firing line of the far-right violence have taken preemptive action, with some deciding to close rather than risking becoming collateral damage.

In Westcliff-on-Sea, in Southend, MNS Solicitors and Company (pictured), which provides assistance in immigration cases, boarded up its doors and windows in the face of a potential protest outside tonight.

In Walthamstow the Nags Head pub announced it would be closed today due to the potential for unrest after the area was named on the online hit-list as a target.

Hair salons and cafes in Barnsley and Brompton also joined the growing number of businesses refusing to open today.

In Sunderland, Italian restaurant Sambuca said: ‘Although we have faith in Northumbria Police we cannot take the risk to be caught up in violent riots like the ones that happened a few days ago.’

In Bristol, which is on the list of potential targets, one lawyer said he had not been this fearful since the heyday of the BNP.

The carnage that has raged over the last week has hit medical appointments in some areas, with GPs cancelling evening services in the north east because staff were ‘frightened to go to work’.

John Hayes, the brave businessman who was stabbed trying to protect young girls from a knifeman in Southport, has told the BBC he is ‘dismayed’ hearing Sir Keir Starmer warning rioters they face the ‘full force of the law’.

The 63-year-old, who is still on crutches following the knife attack last Monday, said be believes the unrest is the result of ‘strong undertones of discontent for some time about the levels of immigration’.

Speaking to the Today programme he said:

This is just a catalyst or a trigger, I don’t think it’s the root cause.

I do get dismayed when I hear Keir Starmer and Yvette Cooper talking about the police are going to come down with the full force of the law etc on these people.

They need to start listening and understanding that they need to address the cause rather than the symptoms.

I don’t condone the violence but there’s an awful lot of unhappy people in this country at the moment that want something to be done and I don’t think that until the government starts to address that this problem is going to go away.

Earlier in the interview, Mr Hayes described the attacker as a ‘crouching tiger’ as he recounted how the man approached him while ‘flailing this knife around’.

Last night, the Metropolitan Police released a statement warning anyone against taking action in London as the force vowed to use ‘every power and tactic’ at its disposal to prevent disorder.

Mr McMahon told BBC Breakfast a ‘tiny minority’ of people want to cause disruption, while the majority go about their everyday business.

I think it’s fair to say that people are feeling very anxious at the moment when they’re seeing the scenes that are on TV, when they’ve seen the locations that are being circulated online.

That is genuinely causing anxiety in the community. And, of course, it’s right that people are vigilant, that people share any intelligence that they’ve got, and that people look after each other.

But the vast majority of people today will go about their everyday business like they do every single day of the week and the year in peace and security.

He added those who do want to cause damage and disruption can expect to face ‘the full force of the law’ as Sir Keir Starmer aims to speed up sentences for rioters.

Communities minister Jim McMahon said the Government is concerned about a list of 39 destinations which could be targets for far-right thugs after it began circulating online.

The list is said to include addresses for immigration centres, refugee shelters and lawyers’ homes and was posted on the Telegram.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Mr McMahon said:

We are concerned about the information that is being shared online. All of us are concerned that a list is being circulated.

We at this point don’t know if those will transpire to be protests in the way that we’ve seen in other places. Or whether it’s a list that’s intended just to cause alarm and distress, or even to provoke.

But to be clear we are absolutely prepared in terms of our policing response, our prosecutor response and also our court response.

This article is available only to Mail + subscribers

Two images of Britain spring to mind this week.

The first, Emma ­Finucane, Team GB cycling gold medallist at the Paris Olympics, great-niece of Brendan ‘Paddy’ Finucane, the World War II fighter pilot and Spitfire ace, the youngest-ever wing commander in the RAF and a national icon for his ­heroics in the Battle of Britain.

What a legacy, what an achievement, what a proud moment for our country.

The other, an image of hate and ­bigotry, a preening thug with his features ­concealed by a Union Jack mask.

This country’s standard, used to hide the face of a coward: it doesn’t get more shameful than that.

Six people have been charged with violent disorder following a protest in Plymouth on Monday night which saw police officers injured and two members of the public taken to hospital.

Devon and Cornwall Police said the four adults and two 17-year-old boys have been charged under Section 2 of the Public Order Act 1986.

• Paul Braidwood, 44, and Daniel McGuire, 45, both of Plymouth,
• Lucas Ormond Skeaping, 29, of Tavistock,
• Michael Williams, 51, of Sparkwell,
• And two 17-year-old boys from Plymouth.

They are due to appear at Plymouth Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, has released a statement this morning warning anyone planning to take part in violent disorder in the capital that action will be taken against them.

Mr Khan also urged Londoners to check on friends and neighbours as the riots had left many Muslim and minority ethnic communities ‘scared and fearful’

Britain’s most senior prosecutor warned it is ‘deeply disturbing’ to see children as young as 11 taking part in riots across the country.

Stephen Parkinson warned there could be lifelong consequences for young people involved in the violence.

More than 400 people have been arrested so far, with terrorism charges considered for at least one suspected thug.

Yesterday Mr Parkinson, the director of public prosecutions, said: ‘One of the most striking features of the current outbreak of disorder is that many young people are involved. Children as young as 11. This is deeply disturbing.’

He warned they risked lifelong consequences including criminal records which could hamper job prospects and the ability to travel abroad.

Mr Parkinson added: ‘Justice is coming for those who have rained chaos on their local streets.’

His comments came as a 14-year-old pleaded guilty to violent disorder after he was caught with a gang shooting fireworks at a crowd.

A 15-year-old boy, who appeared in court yesterday, admitted throwing a paving slab at a man’s head during riots in Liverpool.

by Mark Lister, Rory Tingle, James Tozer, Kevin Donald and Iwan Stone

An armchair thug who urged far-right yobs to ‘smash the f**k’ out of a hotel housing asylum seekers was today locked up pending his sentencing.

Jordan Parlour, a 28-year-old sign installer described by his lawyer as a ‘family man’, is the first man to be charged over Facebook posts relating to the violent disorder across the UK.

Parlour – who was unable to take to the streets for violence because he had broken his heel – instead turned to social media to incite protesters to target the Britannia Hotel in Leeds, West Yorkshire.

The hotel, in the Seacroft area of the city and close to Parlour’s home, had been attacked with rocks and a window had been broken – though it was not the scene of mass violence.

Stephen Parkinson, the Director of Public Prosecutions has said that terror legislation is already being used in relation to one rioting case meaning other instances of public disorder could be treated similarly.

In Teesside, medical appointments have been postponed in an effort to safeguard NHS staff and patients from the riots

Hospitals and a GP federation in the North East region say they have acted following days of ‘deplorable violence and criminal activity’.

Stacey Hunter, group chief executive for University Hospitals Tees, said some health workers had struggled to get to work as a result of disorder in the area.

She said: ‘No one should feel afraid to go to work and to live their lives.’

As a result of rioting, some clinics have had to change location while risk assessments had been carried out ahead of home visits.

The BBC is reporting that refugee charities and lawyers based in the North East of England are taking action to keep themselves safe amid the threat of ongoing unrest.

Newcastle and Sunderland are both included on a list of potential gatherings today while police issued dispersals to nearly 40 people in Durham city centre last night. Rioting took place in Sunderland on Friday (pictured)

One lawyer based in Newcastle told the BBC he had closed his office while a charity based in the region said it had cancelled a planned event for asylum seekers.

The group, who are not named, told the BBC its volunteers had faced racist abuse on public transport, and said: ‘We don’t want to put anyone at extra risk’.

Tuesday was a relatively peaceful day with police responding to no major disturbances on the streets although businesses in some areas shut early amid fears of disorder.

In Belfast, the Police Service of Northern Ireland arrested six people and dealt with a number of race-related hate crimes, hate incidents and disorder across the capital.

Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Melanie Jones said:

For a third night, our officers dealt with incidents such as assaults, criminal damage and arson in a challenging environment right across the city.

Elsewhere, a 15-year-old boy was arrested in Durham while 37 people, aged between 13 and 38, were handed dispersal orders in the city centre.

The order remains in place until noon today.

While Merseyside Police introduced a Section 34 dispersal order in South Liverpool following unrest in Southport and the city centre over the past week.

It means officers will be granted powers to direct anyone engaging in antisocial behaviour and seize items in their possession to help carry it out.

The order expires at 7pm tonight.

MailOnline has produced a map showing where more than 30 gatherings could be planned for Wednesday in what threatens to be the busiest nights of the riots so far.

Right-wing groups have organised dozens of protests from Liverpool to Hull and Middlesbrough to Plymouth – with many filled with anti-immigrant rhetoric.

Riots have seen hotels housing migrants set on fire and police attacked with bricks or glass bottles.

More than 400 people have now been arrested and Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Parkinson has said the thugs could face terrorism charges as the legal system fights to bring offenders to justice.

by Iwan Stone, Arthur Parashar and Katherine Lawton

Almost 6,000 officers have been mobilised after a terrifying hitlist showed far-right thugs are set to target immigration centres, refugee shelters and lawyers’ homes today – as more race riots are set to spark chaos across the country.

Vile messages from inside Telegram channels fueling the violence show the yobs threatening the lives of anti-racism activists and using sick slurs.

And comments from the messages show plans to unleash further disorder across Britain this evening – with as many as 38 destinations making up a ‘target list’.

More than 100 people have so far been charged over Britain’s week of riots, after violence spread across the country following misinformation in the wake of the Southport stabbings. The Director of Public Prosecutions has confirmed at least one of these is being looked at under terrorism legislation.

Towns and cities across England – from Aldershot to Wigan – have been named as places for demonstrations, with organisers saying ‘they won’t stop coming until you tell them…’.

Hello and welcome to MailOnline’s live coverage of the UK riots.

Police forces are braced for further violence and disorder today after it emerged right-wing thugs are to target immigration centres, refugee shelters and lawyers’ homes.

As many as 38 destinations in towns and cities have been included which has seen almost 6,000 officers mobilised across the country while Sir Keir Starmer insisted communities will be kept safe.

We will be bringing you the latest developments and reaction from throughout the day.