Threat of far-right riots underestimated by police despite warning signs, report into summer disorder finds
Share:
Widespread violence which erupted following a stabbing at a Southport holiday class should serve as a ‘wake up call’ to police, a report warns. Police failed to see the threat of far-right disorder following the Southport stabbing despite a series of “precursor” events inflaming tensions, an inspector has warned.
![[HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary Andy Cooke said ‘more consideration’ should have been given to a string of precursor events]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/11/19/00/5d7cdb475ecd39393ecac81c6fe2b13cY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzMyMDU3ODg4-2.67226609.jpg)
His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary Andy Cooke said the widespread unrest which erupted in the aftermath of the killing of three schoolgirls was a “wake up call” for policing and forces must be better prepared to tackle further outbreaks of violence.
![[Protesters clashed with police in central London last Armistice Day]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2023/11/13/09/089fc02cce953583fc7a23f3aa92920fY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNjk5OTUxODM2-2.74533127.jpg)
Publishing the first of two reports on the summer’s riots, he praised officers’ dedication and bravery which helped to bring an end to six-days of disorder. A total of 302 officers were injured and 54 hospitalised with wounds including concussion during violent clashes in towns and cities across the UK following the mass stabbing at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on 29 July.
![[Six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, died in the Southport attack]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/08/20/13/ea5322c89083df8ddf632febf13c615cY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzI0MjQ0NDEw-2.77002632.jpg)
Misinformation about the alleged attacker’s identity had been widely shared on social media. A rapid review of the police response by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) found forces were unprepared for the scale of the disorder and the decision to implement a national mobilisation plan was made too late.
