UK authorities have stated that public order has settled down following a period of intense far-right protests. However, they cautioned that the consequences of the turmoil will be evident for several months and possibly years ahead.
B.J. Harrington, head of the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) for Public Order, stated on August 11 that the conditions in England, Scotland, and Wales have somewhat improved in recent days. However, he cautioned that Northern Ireland is still encountering "substantial difficulties", with 10 police officers being hurt by petrol bombs in a violent outbreak on Saturday afternoon, according to Xinhua news agency.
Far-right demonstrations have shaken the nation following a knife attack in Southport, northwest England, that resulted in the deaths of three children at the end of July. The unrest has resulted in police officers getting injured, stores being looted, and hotels accommodating asylum-seekers being attacked. Officials think that a pivotal moment occurred on Wednesday due to increased law enforcement presence in large urban areas and quick legal actions against those participating in riots.
The UK police were prepared for the potential resurgence of riots over the weekend, as a new football season began and temperatures rose. However, it ended up being mostly calm aside from a couple of rare far-right demonstrations on a small scale. Moreover, numerous individuals joined in anti-racism protests over the weekend in various cities including London, Newcastle, Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff, Belfast, Glasgow, and Edinburgh.
Nonetheless, Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, in an article for The Observer, mentioned that the consequences of the unrest will have a long-lasting effect, with court delays and prisons at full capacity.
The NPCC reported on Saturday that 779 individuals have been taken into custody in relation to the riots, with 349 facing charges. Approximately 30 individuals have been imprisoned for participating in violent activities or encouraging racial tensions.
Around 30 people have been jailed for their involvement in violent disorder or inciting racial hatred online so far, with the longest sentence being three years. The number of convictions is expected to rise as the government has vowed to make those who break the law feel the "full force of the law".
