The UK prime minister has warned that individuals found to be involved in riots across England and Northern Ireland can expect to be quickly processed through the legal system. Sir Keir Starmer, after his second emergency co-ordination meeting with police chiefs in as many days, stated he anticipates “substantive sentencing” of rioters within days. The first person to be imprisoned for their role in the disorder is thought to be James Nelson, 18, of Bolton, who was convicted of criminal damage in the town and given a two-month sentence.
The turmoil follows the killing of three girls in Southport, fuelled by online misinformation that the suspect was an asylum seeker, which has led to rioting in various towns and cities. Inquests into the deaths of Bebe King, Alice Dasilva Aguiar, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, will be opened later in the week. To date, around 100 protesters in connection with the riots have already been charged across England and Northern Ireland.
In Northern Ireland, on Tuesday evening, a young boy was attacked in west Belfast and left with minor facial injuries which the police are treating as a hate crime. Police are aware of at least 30 potential gatherings planned for Wednesday but believe the situation to be “manageable.” Nearly 6,000 public order officers are being mobilised to respond to any disorder in the next few days, according to police sources.
The director of public prosecutions, Stephen Parkinson, told the BBC that prosecutors are looking into terrorism offences for some suspects and that his teams would consider seeking the extradition of social media influencers who allegedly played a part in the disorder from abroad. The government also stated on Tuesday that it will make more than 500 prison spaces available to ensure those taking part in the violence can be jailed
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