Businesses have been forced to board up their shops, GPs have closed and workers told to go home early ahead of further disorder on Wednesday evening.
After the riotous scenes witnessed over the last few days in cities across the UK, police are braced for what could be the highest level of disorder in the last week following the fatal stabbing of three young girls in Southport on 29 July.
Some 100 protests from far-right groups are expected this evening alongside 30 or more counterprotests planned with gatherings expected in up to 41 of the 43 police force areas in England and Wales.
Pictures have emerged of business owners in Northampton, North Finchley in London, and Southend putting up protective boarding ahead of the expected unrest this evening.
Estate agents in Walthamstow, east London, closed high street offices early on Wednesday with staff being told to work from home, while the Nags Head pub nearby informed customers via social media they would be shut that day because of a “potential protest” to “ensure safety” of customers and employees.
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), the police and Home Office held an emergency meeting to discuss measures with shops urged to remove displays and outside equipment such as tables and chairs which could be stolen or used by rioters as missiles.
Multiple areas, including south Liverpool, Lincoln and parts of London, have been issued with dispersal orders, meaning police officers have greater powers to deal with incidents of antisocial behaviour.
It is believed far-right groups are also sharing the location of immigration centres and solicitors specialising in immigration law to target.
A solicitor, whose family firm practises immigration law in northern England, said: “If there is any violence or destruction, all the businesses in the area are family-run businesses – so if they target us, everyone gets affected.”
An office manager at an immigration advisory service in the East Midlands said he felt “very, very scared and very upset” regarding the threats his workplace has received and that surrounding businesses feel the same.
Some GP surgeries have also closed early ahead of the protests with reports of blood test and appointments cancelled.
Addison Road Medical Practice in Walthamstow, north-east London, where one of 39 demonstrations is being planned, told patients it will be closing at 5pm. The practice is usually open until 6.30pm.
In a text message seen by i, the surgery said: “Waltham Forest Local Authority and the police are planning for threatened disruption on Wednesday (7 August, 2024), this is expected during the evening in the Hoe Street area, there appears to be plans to target the Waltham Forest Immigration Bureau.
“To ensure that our staff and patients are safe we will be closing the surgery at 5.30pm tomorrow.”
Posts on X indicate that other surgeries have sent similar messages to patients.
Blood donation centres have closed early in some areas amid concerns about the impact of the protests planned this evening.
A spokesperson for NHS Blood and Transplant said: “We have been advised by the police to close some of our blood donation sessions early in places where there is a risk of disturbance. We will contact donors if their session is affected.”
i has been told of at least one blood donation centre in Liverpool that is closing early.
High street cosmetics retailer Lush said on Monday it was “devastated” by attacks on its store in Hull and “how our retailers have also been treated”.
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.
The number of people arrested in the wake of violent disorder around the country has risen to over 420 and at least 140 have been charged at the time of writing, the National Police Chiefs’ Council said.
The numbers are “expected to rise significantly day by day”.
Sir Keir Starmer said the sentences were an example of “the swift action we’re taking”, adding: “If you provoke violent disorder on our streets or online, you will face the full force of the law.”