UK riots live: Almost 400 arrested as Starmer puts ‘standing army’ on alert

Police are not “anti-protest” but are “anti-crime”, National Police Chiefs’ Council chairman Gavin Stephens said.

He added: “We are here to protect the public and keep the peace no matter your beliefs. Violent disorder is a serious offence which often comes with a lengthy jail term so be assured we are taking these offences seriously have full support of our criminal justice partners to do this.

“The people involved in this criminality do not represent the views of our communities and it has been heartening to see people coming together to support each other and their local forces.

“This is a challenging time for forces and I want to extend my thanks to the officers and staff who have carried out their roles with dignity, bravery and professionalism in the face of sustained violence and assaults.

“There have been a number of officers injured, some have been hospitalised after putting themselves in harm’s way to protect others, and I wish them a full recovery.

“Officers do not go to work to be assaulted or attacked and it is completely unacceptable.”

Police have made 378 arrests so far since disorder broke out last week and the total is expected to rise each day, the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) said as it promised a “united and robust policing response”.

NPCC chairman Gavin Stephens said: “Every community across the country will have been affected in some way by the violent disorder we have seen in this past week.

“I want to reassure the public that a united and robust policing response is in place across the country and we are doing all we can to tackle this disorder and keep you safe.

“All forces have been requested not only to increase the number of specialist resources in their local area, but to contribute to regional reserves, coordinated nationally.

“So far 378 arrests have been made and we expect that total to rise each day as forces continue to identify those involved and continue to apprehend those responsible. Work is going on around the clock to do this and those involved will be brought to justice.

“We have been clear that this is not protest activity or people exercising their democratic right. It is unnecessary violence and we’ve seen important community hubs like a Citizen’s Advice Bureau and a library completely destroyed.”

The UK didn’t suddenly become bigoted last week. These people were simply waiting for an excuse, writes Femi Oluwole.

Ms Cooper pledged that the far right thugs face “a reckoning” with over 400 people arrested after far-right violence swept across the country over the weekend.

The necessary support must be put in place to enable the courts to deal with those charged following the violent disorder, said the Law Society president, as he described how the “goodwill” of solicitors being called on to work extra hours is “fast running out”.

Nick Emmerson, Law Society of England and Wales president, said: “It is paramount that justice is done for all those who have been involved in, or are victims of, the riots.

“We commend the UK government for its swift response and want to see that the necessary support and resources are provided for both prosecution and defence lawyers, courts staff and judiciary in dealing with this emergency.

“The criminal justice system has suffered significant neglect over the last decade and has less resilience and flexibility with severe backlogs in the Magistrates and Crown Courts.

“The criminal defence profession is also depleted and over-worked and the goodwill of the solicitors who are being called on to work additional antisocial hours is fast running out.”

Around 20 volunteers including local councillors helped council staff and contractors to paint over racist graffiti and clear up debris, including broken glass, bricks and paving slabs which had been used as missiles during the attack on Tamworth’s Holiday Inn Express.

Among those who made their way to the hotel to help out was councillor Margaret Clarke, who said those responsible for the damage had exhibited “stone age thinking”.

The 80-year-old, a member of Tamworth Soroptimists: “I have lived in Tamworth for over 50 years and the first thing you do when there’s trouble is you help – that’s the way I look at things.

“Debasing our town is not something that we allow – it’s not Tamworth. Most of them (the rioters) were not Tamworthians and we don’t want our people to be harassed like that again.”

Her colleague Pat Pallett, 77, said of the amount of local people taking part in the clean-up: “That is Tamworth for you. We band together when there’s any trouble. It’s a lovely town to live in and we don’t want this happening again, ever.”

A Green MP has labelled violent disorder “fascist violence fuelled by racism and Islamophobia”.

Brighton Pavilion MP Sian Berry said in a statement: “What we are witnessing on our streets is fascist violence fuelled by racism and Islamophobia. Only by naming it and understanding clearly what it is can we work to defeat it.”

She added: “It is also important to ask what the police and security services have been doing to monitor the far right over the past decade. We have to question if a focus on monitoring Muslim citizens and climate protesters has allowed the far more sinister menace of fascism to foment.

“We need to bring those responsible for instigating the violence to justice, but this won’t be enough to defeat an ideology which uses organised political violence to undermine our society, divide communities and compromise the state and its institutions, including the judiciary and the police.

“The engine that drives fascism is racism, so ministers need to speak up now with one voice to celebrate and defend our Muslim citizens and their place in our diverse society. The Government also needs urgently to create real new investment in supporting community cohesion.”

The Law Society of England and Wales said it has “serious concerns” about the safety of its members after names and addresses of solicitors’ firms and advice agencies were shared in a list of locations to be targeted by demonstrators.

The organisation’s president, Nick Emmerson, said: “We deplore the violent scenes and rioting that we have witnessed across the past week.

“We have serious concerns about the safety and wellbeing of our members following names and addresses of a number of solicitors’ firms and advice agencies being shared on a list of targets for further protest and violence this week.

“I have written to the Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor and Home Secretary today asking that the threats against the legal profession are treated with the utmost seriousness.

“A direct assault on our legal profession is a direct assault on our democratic values and we are supporting our members who are being targeted.”

People arrested in connection to the violent far-right riots across the country have begun to appear in court.

The prime minister has vowed that people who took part in the “unforgivable” riots will face swift and harsh judgements as the courts prepare to sit for longer hours.

Amongst those appearing in court today were brothers Adam, 28, and Ellis Wharton, 22, who both pleaded guilty to burgling the Spellow Hub community centre in Liverpool.

Joshua Sanderson-Kirk, prosecuting, said Adam was seen outside the Spellow Library on County Road on Sunday, wearing a balaclava and “sweating profusely”.

Australia has become the third country to issue a warning to citizens travelling to the UK following days of violent riots.

It advised travellers to “Avoid areas where protests are occurring due to the potential for disruption and violence” as it urged people to “monitor the media for information and updates”.

It comes after Malaysia alerted citizens living or visiting the UK to “stay away” from protest areas and “remain vigilant”.

The Nigerian Interior Ministry also issued a warning this morning, citing an “increased risk of violence and disorder occasioned by the recent riots in the UK”.