British PM Announce Establishment of Special Force to Curb Riots

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced the establishment of a specialized police unit to address escalating riots and a swift justice system to manage the surge in arrests following violent unrest across the UK. The move comes in response to disturbances linked to far-right groups and misinformation on social media, which followed a tragic stabbing incident at a dance class last month that resulted in three deaths and multiple injuries.

Starmer convened an emergency meeting to address the chaos fueled by false rumors about the suspect, who was wrongly identified as a Muslim asylum seeker. The suspect, a British national, has been charged and identified in court to combat the spread of misinformation that sparked attacks on immigrants and Muslim communities.

Violence erupted on Sunday when rioters targeted two hotels housing asylum seekers, vandalizing properties and setting fires. Police have reported numerous injuries, with officers being attacked with bricks and other objects. Oliver Coppard, Mayor of South Yorkshire, condemned the violence, attributing it to far-right extremists and condemning their actions against vulnerable populations.

Starmer criticized social media platforms for their inadequate response to misinformation, stating that those who incite violence online or offline could face imprisonment. The National Police Chiefs’ Council reported 147 arrests since the unrest began, with more expected.

The Home Office has implemented a new “rapid response process” to enhance protection for mosques and other places of worship, aiming to prevent further attacks. The government has not requested military assistance, focusing instead on increasing police capabilities and addressing misinformation.