Ongoing protests and riots have prompted several countries to issue safety warnings to citizens travelling to the UK.
Violence broke out in several towns and cities in England and Northern Ireland following the killing of three young girls at a dance class in Southport last week. More than 400 people have so far been arrested in the wake of disorder around the country, according to police sources, with the number expected to continue to rise in the coming days.
Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer chaired another meeting of the government’s emergency Cobra committee on Tuesday evening, the second in two days, to co-ordinate the response to ongoing unrest on Britain’s streets.
Some cities have seen hotels housing immigrants set alight, while bricks and fireworks have been thrown at police. Reporters on the scene of some protests have been filmed being approached and seemingly threatened by masked groups, while shops and businesses have been looted.
Some countries have now warned citizens travelling to the UK about “an increased risk of violence”. Travel alerts have advised tourists in the UK to “stay away from protest areas”.
Below are the countries to have issued safety warnings to its citizens so far…
Australia
While Australia has advice to its citizens to “exercise a high degree of caution in the UK due to the threat of terrorism”, the country updated its advice on Monday. The Australian government says people should “avoid areas where protests are occurring due to the potential for disruption and violence”.
It advises its citizens to “monitor the media for information and updates” and to “follow the instructions of local authorities”.
India
The High Commission of India in London said it was “closely monitoring” the “disturbances” taking place in the UK and advised visitors from India to “stay vigilant and exercise due caution while travelling in the UK”.
A statement read: “It is advisable to follow local news and advisories issued by local security agencies, and to avoid areas where protests are underway.”
Indonesia
The Indonesian embassy in London has issued a warning advising its citizens in the UK to avoid large crowds and increase their vigilance. The alert said the people should also avoid “potential places [of] mass gathering or groups of demonstrators”.
Kenya
While Kenya has not issued an official travel warning, the country’s principal secretary for foreign affairs, Korir Sing’Oei, gave advice on X while reacting to a video of the protests. He wrote: “A deeply worrying situation in the UK. Kenyans are urged to exercise caution.”
Malaysia
The High Commission of Malaysia in London posted a message online which read: “Malaysians residing in or travelling to the United Kingdom are urged to stay away from protest areas, remain vigilant and follow the latest updates and guidance provided by local authorities.”
It also “strongly encouraged” people to register with it to “receive timely information and assistance”.
Nigeria
A “travel alert” by Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, based in the capital Abuja, stated that there is “an increased risk of violence and disorder occasioned by the recent riots in the UK”. It noted that “the violence has assumed dangerous proportions”.
It went on: “Demonstrations by far right and other extra-parliamentary groups in parts of the UK in recent weeks have been large, and in some instances unruly.”
UAE
The United Arab Emirates’ embassy in London posted an alert on X that warned its citizens of an “unstable security situation” in the UK. It asked citizens to exercise the “maximum degree of caution”, warning against visiting areas where riots and protests had taken place.