10 acts of violence and far-right ‘activism’ police ignored ahead of summer riots

Police underplayed the risk from 10 incidents of “extreme nationalist sentiment, aggravated activism, or serious disorder” leading up to this summer’s riots, the chief inspector of police has found in a report – which warns police were too slow to mobilise and underestimated the threat of far-right violence.

Andy Cooke’s report, commissioned by home secretary Yvette Cooper in the wake of the riots, detailed 10 example incidents which “should have influenced the police service’s assessments of threat and risk”. 

It said police had recognised a moderate increase in activity by “extreme right-wing groups”, but still graded the risk of violent disorder as “low”.

“There is an institutional bias in the police which prioritises targeting peaceful protest, while ignoring the obvious threat posed by the far-right,” said Ravishaan Rahel Muthiah, communications director at the Joint Centre for the Welfare of Immigrants.

“It comes as no surprise – after all, our government has labelled anti-war protests as hate marches, and those involved in peaceful environmental protest have been given prison sentences of up to five years. The police are merely the enforcement arm of the hostile environment, which has relentlessly demonised and dehumanised migrants and communities of colour.”

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1. Knowsley, February 2023: Protesters set police vehicle on fire outside asylum hotel

A protest outside an asylum hotel in Knowsley, Merseyside, broke out into violence on the night of 10 February 2023. Protesters threw missiles and paving slabs at police, set fire to a police van and left one officer needing hospital treatment. Those arrested included a 13-year-old boy.

Described as a “violent and hostile” gang by the Crown Prosecution Service, a total of 17 people were sentenced after the disorder.

2. Rotherham, February 2023: Anti-immigration protesters gather outside hotel

Banners with slogans including “end the invasion, stop immigration” were flown outside a hotel in Rotherham used to house asylum seekers, as anti-immigration groups gathered. Police arrested two people.

3. Llanelli, July-October 2023: Multiple protests outside asylum hotel

An asylum hotel in Llanelli was the site of multiple protests during 2023, with fires breaking out and police arresting 40 people. Policing the protests cost £1.1m.

4. Ely, Cardiff, May 2023

The death of two friends riding an e-bike through one of Wales’ most deprived areas ended with rioters clashing with police and setting cars on fire. 

5. London, November 2023: EDL members attack police and trespass on Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday

Counter-protesters to a pro-Palestinian demonstration taking place on Armistice Day clashed with police in central London. The Met Police slammed “extreme violence from right-wing protesters”, as nine officers were injured and 145 people arrested.

Rishi Sunak condemned “EDL thugs” who trespassed on the Cenotaph and chanted “you’re not English any more” at police.

6. London, April 2024: Violence at St George’s Day rally in London

St George’s Day saw riot police clashing with men wearing England flags, as footage showed a man appearing to hit a police horse with an umbrella.

One speaker told crowds: “For too long those that hate the English working class they have put their knee on your neck. That ends today. The English people will never bow the knee.”

7. Harehills, Leeds, July 2024: Bus burned after rumours spread about children taken into care

After rumours spread about Roma children being taken into care and mistreated by authorities, “dystopian” mob violence broke out in the Harehills area of Leeds.

A bus was set on fire during several hours of violent disorder, which was later described by a judge as “a chilling example of how a violent, anarchic mob can, with astonishing ease, achieve a situation of complete lawlessness”.

Home secretary Yvette Cooper called the disorder “audacious criminality”, and said there were “some issues around misinformation” on social media.

8. Kent, July 2024: Army officer stabbed near barracks

Witnesses heard screams as a uniformed British army officer was stabbed near Brompton Barracks in Kent. Police seized a number of knives and said the incident was not terrorism-related. Lieutenant colonel Mark Teeton was discharged from hospital in August and a trial for attempted murder will take place in January 2025.

9. Rochdale, July 2024: Hundreds gather outside police station after video of police stamping on man’s head

In July, a video emerged of a police officer kicking and stamping a man’s head in Manchester Airport. Around 200 people gathered outside Rochdale police station in the aftermath, with chants including “GMP shame on you”. Police said it ended “without incident”.

10. London, July 2024: Thousands gather for Tommy Robinson rally in central London

Far-right activist Tommy Robinson claimed he had held the “biggest patriotic rally” in the UK’s history, as crowds gathered in Trafalgar Square. Police made five arrests, including one on suspicion of assaulting a steward at a trans pride march, and one person who allegedly snapped a Palestinian flag and made a racially abusive remark.

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