UK riots LIVE: Cops on ‘high alert’ & given special powers to tackle riot yobs over weekend as King thanks police
COPS have been given special powers to tackle riot yobs over fears of more planned chaos.
Sir Keir Starmer has reiterated his message that police should remain on “high alert” over the weekend.
And King Charles - who spoke to the PM privately on Friday evening - praised the reaction of many communities across the UK.
Thousands of protesters gathered in Belfast yesterday ahead of two planned anti-migrant rallies.
An arrest was made in Crawley, West Sussex, where a 'Unity Rally' was taking place near a Holiday Express Inn hotel.
And anti-racism demonstrations took place in Scotland - in Bathgate and Paisley - for the first time following the disorder elsewhere in the UK.
It comes after Brits came together in force to quell riot fears earlier this week as cops launched the UK's biggest ever police mobilisation - with 6,000 elite officers from 41 out of Britain's 43 forces deployed.
Follow our live blog below for the latest updates ...
Police council expects number of unrest charges to rise ‘significantly’
The number of people charged in connection with recent unrest has continued to rise, as parts of the UK are steeled for further trouble today.
More than 140 have already been charge, said the CPS, as police chiefs continue to warn rioters they could “expect a knock at the door”.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) said they expected that number to rise “significantly” in the coming days, as officers looked to make further arrests.
Chief Constable BJ Harrington, the NPCC lead for public order, said that police and the CPS would be seeking to minimise the number of suspects released on bail, as a deterrent to further rioting, and that even defendants with no previous convictions had already been remanded in custody after a first appearance in court.
London Mayor urges Londoners to show 'care and compassion'
Sadiq Khan said he is working with Scotland Yard to protect "targeted buildings and places of worship".
the mayor added: "I know the shocking scenes have left many Muslims and minority ethnic communities scared and fearful.
"So I ask my fellow Londoners to check on their friends and neighbours.
"Show them that care and compassion is what Londoners are all about."
Met chief calls Musk claims 'complete nonsense'
Sir Mark Rowley, the head of the Metropolitan Police, has rejected claims that recent disturbances had been dealt with more harshly than if they had been committed by people from ethnic minorities.
He said claims of "two-tier policing", amplified by Elon Musk, the US-based owner of social media platform X, were "complete nonsense" and put police officers at risk.
Councillors 'overwhelmed' by public generosity
Councillors have been "overwhelmed" by the generosity of the public after a library was set on fire during disorder in Liverpool.
Spellow Library on County Road was damaged after violence broke out near a mosque on Saturday night.
Liverpool City Council said activities planned for the library over summer had now been relocated.
Councillor Ruth Bennett, cabinet member for finances, resources and transformation, said: "We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of our residents, partners and people from right across the country
"From thousands of pounds of cash donations to replace destroyed books and IT equipment, to the use of building spaces so that community services can continue at a time when they are most needed, the thoughtfulness and generosity has been overwhelming. It shows the very best of the people of Liverpool and beyond.
"We have now set up a dedicated email which will allow us to start the process of formally accepting donations and offers of help moving forward.
"On behalf of the city - thank you. It is deeply appreciated and humbling."
'Love thy neighbour' scrawled outside planned demo
A message reading "Love thy neighbour" and "No room for racism" were scrawled on the pavement outside a planned protest meeting point.
Anti-immigration marchers were due to gather at Thompson Park in Burnley at 1pm but no-one showed up.
MP Oliver Ryan shared a picture of the graffiti message on X with a heart emoji.
The riots in numbers
- 100 far right gatherings are planned today
- 400 people have already been arrested over riots
- 100 people have been charged over the carnage
- 6,000 extra cops have been drafted in to police riots
- 500 extra prison places are planned for rioters
- 51 cops injured while protecting asylum centre in Rotherham
- 53 cops injured in Southport riot last week
PM praises 'swift action' as 3 jailed
Three men jailed after disturbances which took place last week is evidence of "the swift action" which the Government is taking, according to Sir Keir Starmer.
Reacting to the prison sentences, the Prime Minister wrote on X, formerly Twitter: "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."
Far-right set to target 100 areas today
More than 130 protests and counter demos are expected covering most of the country this evening, according to police sources.
Cops are preparing for activity in 41 out of England and Wales' 43 forces.
Racist protesters are also plotting to attack 39 immigration centres and have shared a sick "arson manual" in a vile online forum.
A Telegram group with more than 14,000 members lists details of immigration lawyers, charities and advice centres across England.
Evil far-right agitators have posted instructions in the group telling thugs to attack the centres at specific times.
Thug cries as he pleads guilty
Liam Ryan, 28, from Bradford, West Yorkshire, cried as he pleaded guilty today to violent disorder after disturbances in Manchester city centre on Saturday.
Prosecutors said Ryan had played an "active role" in the disorder, in which a black man was attacked by a "large group of far-right protesters" in Piccadilly Gardens. He is expected to be sentenced next week.
Nursery's advice to collect kids early 'beyond grim'
Many businesses have shut up shop for the day or will be closing early due to fears of unrest.
A nursery in Walthamstow, North London, has warned parents to collect their children "by 5pm" today to "ensure children and staff get home safe and avoid potentially being caught up".
One parent, posting the note on X, formerly Twitter, described the need for the advice as "beyond grim".
Farage sips tea in Hong Kong as riots hit UK
Nigel Farage has been spotted tucking into a posh afternoon tea while visiting Hong Kong as Britain continue to affect several areas of Britain.
The Reform Party leader was seen enjoying the luxuries of the five-star Mandarin Oriental Hotel during a family visit.
Aggie Holland, a PR worker visiting from London, told the Hong Kong Free Press: “He was there for afternoon tea.
“They were being discreet – he didn’t look like he’d been out in the sweltering heat of the day. Terrible timing.”
The trip to the former British colony followed his defence of his visit to America to support his friend Donald Trump just two weeks after the General Election.
Moment yob brandishes WEAPON at demo
This is the moment a yob wields a huge weapon outside a McDonald's while on live TV as protesters shout "f*** the EDL".
The man was among a group of counter-protesters in Birmingham after rumours emerged of a far-right march being staged.
Despite the large crowd gathering in the Bordesley Green area of the city, no rally took place.
However, he was seen on camera dressed in a blue t-shirt and black jacket while holding a sword-shaped object.
London office workers warned to work from home
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.
'No sign' of protesters at march meeting point
An anti-immigration march was due to kick off this afternoon in Burnley - but it appears no one has turned up.
Posters being handed out and shared on social media encouraged crowds to gather at Thompson Park from 1pm.
But nervy locals are baffled as it seems a non-starter.
A post on Facebook said: "Thompson Park currently very quiet. Few officers on patrol, no sign of protesters, no sign of trouble."
One person commented: "Let's hope it stays this way.. all them who doubted the people of Burnley, shame on you.."
Graffiti on the ground outside the entrance to the park reads: "Love thy neighbour" and "No room 4 racism".
Another post said: "For anyone thinking there's this big riot or protest starting in Burnley, I've just drove past Thompson Park and all through town and everyone is just going about their day as normal!"
Some people speculated that the rain forecast had put marchers off.
‘Rioters defile the flag they wrap themselves in’ – Archbishop of Canterbury
People involved in violent riots on the streets in the past week “defile the flag that they wrap themselves in”, the Archbishop of Canterbury has said.
Justin Welby condemned the “criminal violence” seen in parts of the UK, which has involved attacks on mosques, assaults on police officers, and looting of shops.
The Church of England leader spoke of “manipulation” through social media and “by people abroad”, which he said must be “strongly resisted”.
Asked what he would say to rioters, Mr Welby told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “This [violence] is not the United Kingdom. It’s not British. It’s not English. They defile the flag that they wrap themselves in.”
Police preparing for a total of 130 protests today
Police are understood to be preparing to respond to more than 100 planned protests and potentially around 30 more counter protests today, with gatherings 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.
Truck driver accused of 'arming rioters with weapons'
Jake Turton, 38, was refused bail when he appeared at Sheffield Magistrates Court after he was charged in connection with the rioting in Rotherham at the weekend.
Turton, of Darfield, Barnsley, is accused of driving a Ford Ranger pick-up truck to the Holiday Inn Express, in Manvers, from which those involved in the disorder took wood and other debris to use as weapons against the police.
District Judge James Gould heard how the whole alleged incident was caught on video by a police helicopter.
On Wednesday, the defendant, who was wearing a bright blue t-shirt and grey track-suit bottoms in the glass-fronted dock, denied violent disorder, taking a vehicle without consent and having no insurance.
He was remanded in custody by Judge Gould to appear at Sheffield Crown Court on August 20.
As he left the dock, one of his supporters in court shouted "keep it up" and Turton replied "See you in a bit, lads", with a thumbs-up signs.
Police lie in wait outside immigration bureau
Photos show police officers in a riot van outside Waltham Forest Immigration Bureau.
The cops are lying in wait ahead of planned protests with the centre boarded up as a precaution against damage from expected riots and unrest.
Credit: Reuters 
Credit: Kevin Dunnett Refugee support centres close ahead of protests
St Anne's Centre - home of Asylum Link Merseyside & Merseyside Refugee Support Network - is among such hubs closed ahead of the protests.
A notice, translated into three different languages, warns "due to far right threats" the facility is "temporarily closed while we assess the situation".
Credit: Alamy Three men jailed 'tip of iceberg', says chief prosecutor
Three men jailed for their part in rioting in the wake of the Southport attack are the "tip of the iceberg", a chief prosecutor has said.
Speaking outside Liverpool Crown Court after the three men were jailed for their part in disorder in Southport and Liverpool last week, 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."
Teenager in court over riot live stream
A teenager accused of using racist language and encouraging people to smash up property while live streaming the Darlington riot on TikTok has been remanded in custody.
Brandon Welch, 18, of Warkworth Way, Darlington, did not enter a plea to a charge of violent disorder when he appeared at Teesside Magistrates' Court.
The court heard he accepts filming some of the incident but denies being involved in it.
Welch is also accused of making plans to be involved in further disorder and is alleged to have been part of a Snapchat conversation called "Riots".
Welch, who has no previous convictions, was remanded in custody until his next appearance at Teesside Crown Court on August 28.
‘What a laugh’ – man bitten by police dog mocks court
A 38-year-old man who was bitten by a police dog before he was arrested became the first person to appear in court following the rioting outside a Rotherham hotel housing asylum seekers.
Christopher Rodgers, 38, of Millmoor Road, Barnsley, appeared at Sheffield Magistrates Court on Tuesday where he denied one count of violent disorder.
The court heard how he is accused of being part of a group that were throwing missiles at police and then blocked the way as a line of officers moved forward.
He was bitten by a police dog before he was arrested, the court heard.
Rodgers appeared in the glass-fronted dock wearing a grey T-shirt and said “what a laugh” as he left the dock.
He was remanded in custody and will appear at Sheffield Crown Court on August 20.
Where are the riots today?
Our map below shows the parts of the UK where anti-immigration protests are expected.
Police council expects number of unrest charges to rise 'significantly'
The number of people charged in connection with recent unrest has continued to rise, as parts of the UK are steeled for further trouble today.
More than 140 have already been charge, said the CPS, as police chiefs continue to warn rioters they could "expect a knock at the door".
The National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) said they expected that number to rise "significantly" in the coming days, as officers looked to make further arrests.
Chief Constable BJ Harrington, the NPCC lead for public order, said that police and the CPS would be seeking to minimise the number of suspects released on bail, as a deterrent to further rioting, and that even defendants with no previous convictions had already been remanded in custody after a first appearance in court.
Rioter becomes first person jailed for Southport violence
A rioter has become the first person to receive a prison sentence on a violent disorder charge following nationwide unrest after being jailed for three years for his part in violence in Southport.
Derek Drummond, 58, was part of the disorder in the Merseyside town on July 30 following a fatal knife attack on three girls at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club.
He was one of three men to be jailed at Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday - alongside Declan Geiran and Liam James Riley who were sentenced to 30 months and 20 months in prison respectively after also admitting violent disorder following riots in Liverpool city centre.
Drummond, of Pool Street, Liverpool, previously pleaded guilty to violent disorder and assaulting an emergency worker.