British authorities have arrested over 1,000 individuals in connection with recent riots marked by violence, arson, looting, and racist attacks against migrants, according to a national policing body on Tuesday. The unrest, sparked by the mistaken accusation of a migrant in the deaths of three young girls in Southport, began on July 29 due to misinformation circulating online. The violence spread across cities in England and Northern Ireland, but has diminished since last week following intensified efforts to apprehend the culprits. Numerous individuals have been quickly imprisoned, some receiving lengthy sentences. The National Police Chiefs' Council reported that 1,024 arrests and 575 charges have been made nationwide. Among those detained are a 69-year-old from Liverpool accused of vandalism and an 11-year-old boy from Belfast. A 13-year-old girl admitted to violent disorder at Basingstoke Magistrates' Court after being caught on July 31 attacking the entrance of a hotel for asylum seekers. Prosecutor Thomas Power expressed concern over the involvement of such a young individual in the violent acts, which instilled fear among the targeted victims.
The last major rioting in Britain occurred in 2011, following the police shooting of a Black man, which led to several days of street violence. Swift and stringent judicial measures were credited with curbing the 2011 unrest, during which approximately 4,000 people were arrested over several weeks.
