Britain King Charles has called for mutual respect and understanding after the recent outbreak of far-right riots in the United Kingdom, which targeted Muslims and migrants. This was the monarch’s first public statement since the unrest began last week.
In a statement released by Buckingham Palace on Friday, a spokesman said the king thanked the police and emergency services “for all they are doing to restore peace in those areas that have been affected by violent disorder.”
“It remains His Majesty’s hope that shared values of mutual respect and understanding will continue to strengthen and unite the nation,” the spokesman said after the king had a conversation on call with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and police chiefs.
Thousands of highly trained law enforcement personnel are scheduled to stay on the job over the weekend, prepared to respond if the civil unrest reignites following a period of three days .
The unrest erupted nationwide in response to online misinformation that incorrectly named the alleged perpetrator of a deadly stabbing attack against three young girls on July 29 in Southport, northwest England, as an Islamist migrant.
King Charles III established the Princes Trust in the 1970s, a charitable organization that has assisted over a million young individuals in securing employment or developing community initiatives. The Trust has persisted in its operations even after Charles ascended to the throne, including in areas affected by civil unrest.
Over 700 arrested and 302 charged
Law enforcement officials investigating the riots orchestrated by far-right extremists have announced the arrests of over 700 individuals for alleged offenses and also pledged to make “hundreds” of additional arrests in the near future.
According to The Guardian among the 741 arrests, 32 are connected to online offences, such as incitement and the scale of the operation is evident from the fact that arrests were made in 36 out of the 43 police force areas throughout England and Wales.
The arrests encompass allegations of violent disorder, theft, and antisocial behaviour. Authorities have stated that the ongoing investigations across the nation are likely to continue for several months.
Authorities said that charges have been filed against 302 individuals in connection with recent disturbances,and said further cases should be expected against “rioters and those spreading online hate”
The NPCC, which released the updated statistics, noted that the figures encompass incidents in Northern Ireland, where 26 people have been taken into custody and 21 have been charged for their involvement in rioting.
These numbers come as communities and law enforcement agencies prepare for the possibility of further gatherings that could escalate into violence with police maintaining their most significant mobilisation since the 2011 riots across England to face down a public order threat.
To identify suspects, detectives are relying on various resources, such as footage captured by drones and body-worn cameras. Chief Constable BJ Harrington, who oversees public order on a national level, cautioned that even if individuals are wearing masks, they can still be identified through the retrospective use of facial recognition technology.
The NPCC chair, Gavin Stephens, said: “While the previous two nights have been a welcome break from the appalling scenes of the last week, and may have reached a turning point, we are by no means complacent, The Guardian reported.
“We are grateful to those who are calling us to identify those in the images circulated by forces. We are also grateful for the many messages of support to the officers, staff and volunteers that have faced hatred, racial abuse and violence whilst doing their job,” he said.
The director of public prosecutions, Stephen Parkinson, said: “More than 100 extra CPS prosecutors stand ready to respond rapidly to emerging requirements for charging decisions and advice.”
UK on ‘high’ riot alert
Prime Minister Keir Starmer issued a warning on Friday, urging UK authorities “stay on high alert” for potential far-right riots in the coming days. His statement comes as courts issued the first jail sentences for online incitement during the recent disorder.
Over 1,000 anti-racism protesters gathered in the Northern Irish capital on Friday amid a large police presence, the Reuters reported.
During a visit to the London police headquarters, Starmer told reporters that “swift justice” handed out by courts was helping deter more disorder in English towns.
“But we have to stay on high alert going into this weekend because we absolutely have to make sure that our communities are safe and secure,” Starmer added.